Guildo O. Poliquin

Guildo O. (Gil) Poliquin, almost 85, of 141 Birch Drive, Poland Spring, Maine joined his beloved wife, Dorita, in heaven on December 19, 2007. Dorita went to be with the Lord on January 2, 2000. His last weeks were spent at d'Youville Pavilion in Lewiston where he received outstanding, compassionate care. Beacon Hospice and Androscoggin Home Health were quite helpful and supportive to Guildo and his family. And a special thanks to Virginia Slattery for her wonderful warmth and personal care in his last months. Guildo was born on January 2,1923 in Lewiston Maine to Dorothy L'Heureux Poliquin and Armand Poliquin. He was the oldest of three children and was predeceased by his brother, Milio Poliquin, who passed in 2007, and sister, Monita Poliquin Collet, who passed in 1997. The Poliquin and L'Heureux families have strong roots in the greater Lewiston area dating back to the 1700s. Guildo was educated in Lewiston's public schools and graduated from Lewiston High School in 1941. Following high school, he attended and graduated from the New York School of Optics in Brooklyn, New York in 1942 and the Nichols & Clark Hearing Laboratory in Danvers, Massachusetts in 1955. He worked for many years alongside his father and brother at Poliquin's Jewelry Store on Lisbon Street in Lewiston. On September 1, 1947, Guildo married Dorita M. Vincent of Auburn at St. Louis Catholic Church and enjoyed 52 years of marriage. Guildo and Dorita raised three children in Lewiston and moved from Lewiston to Poland Spring in 1976. In 1955, Guildo became a pioneer in the developing hearing aid profession. He worked diligently and tirelessly in reaching out to the hearing impaired in various remote locations within the state making house calls. His outgoing, professional personality and sense of humor made him well received by his patients. In 1971, Guildo, Dorita and son, Gilbert, founded their own business, Gil Poliquin's Hearing Aid & Optical Center located on Lisbon Street in Lewiston. This business continues to thrive under the management of Gilbert. Guildo served on the State Hearing Aid Licensing Board for numerous years. This board position was under appointments from Governor James Longley, Governor Joseph Brennan, and Governor John McKernan. In past years, he was active with the Lewiston-Auburn Rotary Club, the Auburn Exchange Club and the Poland Lions Club. Guildo was a Roman Catholic who regularly attended mass until his health declined and strongly believed in the power of prayer. Guildo enjoyed spending summers at Tripp Lake from 1948 until 1975. He also enjoyed their second home in Eustis and loved his toys: cars, boats, snow mobiles, and motorcycles. Guildo and Dorita enjoyed travel especially to Bermuda and the Caribbean Islands. They had memorable trips to Italy, Austria and England. They shared many good times with a strong circle of friends referred to as "the gang". Later in their marriage, Guildo and Dorita spent winters in Florida. Guildo was an avid reader, with an outgoing personality, a great sense of humor, and he loved to engage anyone in conversation. Survivors include his son and daughter-in-law, Gilbert and Diana Poliquin of Poland, Maine; his daughter and son-in-law, Elaine and Daniel LaBrecque of Poland Spring, Maine; and his daughter and son-in-law, Anne and Raymond Paradis of Arrowsic, Maine; nine grandchildren: Meghan Smith, Shawn Poliquin, Joseph Poliquin, Kelly LaBrecque, Benjamin LaBrecque, Angela Cook, Lisa Dulac, Michael Paradis, Craig Paradis and four great-grandchildren: Isaac Poliquin, Sequoia Smith, Kaleb Cook, Hali Cook. Also surviving are his companion and cousin's widow, Mrs. Rudolph (Georgette) Poliquin; in-laws: Mrs. Milio (Rolande) Poliquin, Louis & Lorraine Vincent and George & Jeanne Vincent; cousins Sister Claire LePage and Louise LePage ��Carpentier along with numerous nieces, nephews, and friends. POLIQUIN died in Lewiston, December 19, 2007, Mr. Guildo "Gil" O. Poliquin age 84 years a resident of 141 Birch Dr., Poland Spring.A Memorial Mass of Christian Burial honoring Gil's life will be held FRIDAY, December 28th at 11:00 AM at Sacred Heart Church. Interment to follow at St. Peter's Cemetery.In lieu of flowers memorial donations in Gil's memory may be made to Sister's of Charity/d'Youville Pavilion PO Box 7291 Lewiston, ME 04243-7291.Online condolences and sharing of memories may be expressed at www.lynchbrothers.comMemorial Visitation will be held Thursday, December 27th from 2-4 & 6-8PM at the family owned PINETTE & LYNCH FUNERAL HOME & CREMATION SERVICES 305 Alfred Plourde Parkway, Lewiston, 784-4023