Normand R. Labbe Sr.

Normand (Blackie) Labbe, 87, died peacefully on Monday surrounded by his loving family. Born at home on April 24, 1930 in Lewiston, Maine, the son of Conrad and Olivine Lapierre Labbe. He was called “Ti-Noire” from a very young age. He grew up in Lewiston and attended St. Peter’s School until the 8th grade when he went to work fulltime alongside his father at L & C Cash Market on Lisbon Street in Lewiston. He delivered groceries prior to going to school in the morning with a horse and wagon. The grocery store moved to the corner of Park and Spruce Streets and then to Blake Street. He enjoyed setting up displays of fruit and produce which eventually led to fulfilling his long time dream of operating a fruit stand where he could sell the vegetables he grew on his farm in Minot. In 1986, he opened Blackie’s Farm Fresh Produce on Minot Avenue in Auburn, and then on Sabattus Street in Lewiston. He loved interacting with customers whom he called “all his friends”. He looked forward to going to work at “the stand” every day. He married the former Jacqueline Nadeau on July 21, 1952 in Lewiston. They moved to their farm in Minot where they raised their eight children and took in many kids needing a place to live. Needless to say, he put them all to work in the garden. Blackie and Jackie spent many winters in New Port Ritchey, Florida but by mid-March he couldn’t wait to come home to go work in the hot house. He loved being on his tractors whether it was giving rides to his grandchildren, pulling his wagon loaded with boxes of tomatoes, corn, pumpkins and all the vegetables that he grew which gave him so much pride.Blackie loved being around people and always said he had a good life. He frequently said “he never worked a day in his life because if you’re doing what you like, it’s not work.” He always told his employees that “the cheapest thing in the world is a smile.”

He is survived by his spouse of 65 years, Jackie, 5 daughters, Claudette and Jim Tainter of Woolwich, Diane and Steve Jordan, Jeanne and Michael Carpenter, Sandra and Bruce Haley, Laurie Labbe all of Minot, and 3 sons, Conrad and Patricia Labbe, Normand (Frenchie) Labbe, Jr and Nikki LaBonne and Michael and Karen Labbe all of Minot. Grandchildren include Mike and Matt Tainter, Eric & Curt Jordan, Jeff and Jake Martin, Nick Labbe, Drew Gallant, Zach LaBonne, Mike Carpenter, Jackie Gotskowski, Cat Haley, Conrad and Hannah Labbe and several great grandchildren. One sister, Lorraine Foristal, Manchester, NH., brothers-in-law, Armand Cote of Lisbon and Norm (Pete) Garant of Lewiston, a cousin, Jackie Leclair, many nieces and nephews and a special nephew, Dan Cote, special friends Dr. Atollah Lataferti, Matt Manson, employees, former employees, many friends and business associates.

He was predeceased by his brother, Conrad (Ti- Blanc) Labbe, sisters, Laurette Poisson, Carmen Cote and Pauline Garant, brothers-in law John Foristal, Ovide Poisson and Normand Nadeau and a close cousin, Normand N. Labbe

The family wishes to thank all the care providers at St. Mary’s Hospital, with special thanks to the staff at the Wound Center, the doctors and their staffs for the excellent care provided to Dad through the years.

You are invited to offer your condolences or share fond memories with the family by visiting "blackie's" guestbook at www.thefortingroupauburn.com.

Funeral Notice:

Labbe, Normand R. Sr., 87, of Minot, died Monday February 19, 2018. A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated on Friday at 11:00 AM at The Basilica of Ss. Peter and Paul in Lewiston in the upper Church. In lieu of flowers donations may be made in "Blackie's" memory to: St. Martin de Porres Residence Inc., P.O. Box 7227, Lewiston, Maine 04240-7227. A Service of The Fortin Group/Plummer Merrill Funeral Home, Cremation and Monument Services, 217 Turner St., Auburn, Maine 04210. 783-8545