Bertrand E. Lafrance

Lewiston - Bertrand E. Lafrance Died on April 4,2013 at home after a long battle of heart disease- Born April 20 1926 son of Edmund and Maria (Beaulieu) Lafrance in Lewiston, Maine. Educated in local schools was employed at Bath Iron Works. Served in the Army in World War II, in the Fifth Infantry Division with Patton Third Army he was wounded in Germany in March 1945, he received the Combat Infantry Badge the Bronze Star, the Purple Heart, Good Conduct Medal, American Campaign, European-African-Middle Eastern Campaign Medal,WW II Victory Medal, Army of Occupation Medal, the Maine Honorable Service Medal, on his return he worked at various jobs and various wholesale fruit and produce companies. In 1972 he started his own company, Twin City Fruit and Produce Inc. until 1982. He sold to Jordan’s Foods of Portland and served as Vice President of Jordan’s produce division, retiring in 1985.He was a Life Member of the Military Order of the Purple Heart, Thomas J. Fields Chapter 2699 and served two terms as Department Commander of Maine 1998-1999 and 2002-2003, also life member disabled veterans Chapter 11 of Lewiston, life member Veterans of Foreign wars Post 9459 of Lisbon, member of Combat Infantrymen’s Association of New England, member AmVets of Post 6 of New Gloucester, and past member of American Legion Post 22 of Lewiston. Also served on many committee’s with Military Order of the Purple Heart, Veteran’s Cemetery Association in Augusta, Maine Veteran Coordinating Committee, Veterans Home Advisory Committee of South Paris, and did Advisory for many Veterans in receiving their medals and benefits from the V.A. in Togus. He is survived by a son Roland and his wife Theresa of Augusta, and a daughter Anita Maheux and husband Henry, of Lewiston, 4 grandchildren Steven Lafrance ,Scott Maheux, both of Lewiston, Tina Finch of Connecticut, Shelly Maheux. of Gardiner.6 Great grand children Amanda Lafrance Colby Maheux Kristina Lafrance all of Lewiston, Maranda Finch, Janae Rainey of Connecticut. and Riann LeBlond of Gardiner. One great great grand daughter, Ostara Lafrance. and one brother Leonard, (Lenny) of Florida. He was predeceased by three brothers Roger, Richard (Dick) Rosaire (Ross). Two sisters Theresa (Terry) Poulin and Gilberte (Gibbi) Bourgion. The family wishes to express a special thank you to Dr. John Weiss for the care he has given for the past 25 Years. A very special thanks to Androscoggin Home Care and Hospice for their excellent care. A special thanks to Rene & Pauline Morin and family for everything they have done including home care in the last weeks. Online condolences & Photo Gallery may be shared at www.thefortingrouplewiston.com

Visitation Fortin / Lewiston Sunday 5 to 8 PM . A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated at the Basilica of Ss. Peter & Paul (Upper Church) Monday 10:00 AM. Committal Monday 12:00 noon with Military Honors at Maine Veterans Memorial Cemetery Mt. Vernon Rd., Augusta, ME Donations may be made to Androscoggin Home Care & Hospice 15 Strawberry

Ave. Lewiston, Maine 04240. A service of The Fortin Group Funeral Home 70 Horton Street, Lewiston, Maine

04240 Tel. 784-4584.