OBITUARIES for March 27, 2025

JOSEPH LAROUCHE

FAIRFIELD – Joseph Larouche, 77, of Fairfield, passed away on Monday, March 3, 2025, following a courageous battle with kidney disease. He was born on September 19, 1947, in Montreal, Canada.

Joseph was a proud Vietnam War veteran, achieving the rank of Staff Sergeant and earning a Purple Heart, Bronze Star, and Commendation Medal for Valor.

He was a devoted husband to Mildred “Millie” Larouche for 56 years and a father to Michelle Donald (Rick), Tara Goodwin (James), and Kristian Larouche (Julie). His eight grandchildren, Evan, Camden, Payton, Trey, Paige, Tyler, Macie, and Kristian were his greatest joy.
Joseph worked as a route salesman for Harris Baking Co., then as a supervisor at Statler Tissue, and later at Formtek-Maine and Togus VA Medical Center before retiring. He was diagnosed with kidney disease in 2002 and received a transplant in 2006, giving him many more years with family and friends. He had a deep love for his close friends and cherished the time spent with them.

He is survived by his siblings Daniel, Donald, John (Joyce), Linda Mayo (Roland), Cindy Laney (Bill), Vicki York (Randy), Becky Poulin (John), and Robert; along with many nieces and nephews.

He was predeceased by his parents, Gloria and Marcel Larouche, and his brother, James “Jimmy” Larouche.

A funeral service will be held Saturday, March 29, 2025, at 1 p.m., at Shawmut Chapel, Shawmut, officiated by Steve Donahue, with a reception to follow at the Fairfield VFW. His committal service will take place on May 15, 2025, at noon at the Veterans Memorial.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to MaineHealth Transplant Program, 43 Baxter Blvd. Portland, ME 04101.

RENE J. DECHAINE

WATERVILLE – Rene Joseph “Roland” Dechaine, 85, passed away on Thursday, March 13, 2025, in Waterville. Roland was born on December 16, 1939.

Roland was known for his easygoing and level-headed personality, often referred to as the animal whisperer for his exceptional love and care for animals. He was a dedicated caregiver, not only to his family but also to his numerous pets of all stripes, colors, and species.

He graduated from Waterville High School and went on to earn a Bachelor of Science in Accounting, from Thomas College, in Waterville. Roland proudly served in the U.S. Army from 1957-1960, followed by four years in the National Guard. He also contributed his accounting expertise to Pine State Trading for over eight years. His professional life was marked by his entrepreneurship, having owned and operated Winslow Convenience for 16 years.

Roland was a devout member of St. John the Baptist Catholic Church, in Winslow, where he actively participated in the community. His hobbies included being a board member for New Dimensions Credit Union, in Waterville, involvement in the Knights of Columbus, spending time at his camp, in Smithfield, on North Pond, boating, and traveling worldwide. However, his greatest joy was spending time with his family and his beloved pets.

Roland is survived by his spouse of 62 years, Diane Dechaine; children, Rene Dechaine and his wife Sidni, Michelle Emery and her husband Bubba, and Bruce Dechaine and his wife Celeste; grandchildren Christopher and his wife Danielle, Tyler and his wife Devon, Brianna, Ryan and his wife Alison, Stephanie and her husband Brad, Danielle and her boyfriend Matthew, and Cassie along with her husband Stefan; five great-grandchildren, Diamond, Daniel, Jaxson, Aria, and Kennedi; siblings Rose Paulette, David Deschaine, and Marty Deschaine and his wife Jane, along with his in-laws Pat and Bob Perry, and in-laws Jan and Kevin Dyer as well as numerous nieces, nephews, and cousins, and last but not least his favorite daughter Sunshine.

Preceding him in death were his parents, Rene and Anne, his sister Geraldine MacArthur, and brothers, Rodney Deschaine, and his in-laws, Richard Bernier, Peter Bernier, and Stephen Bernier.

A funeral Mass was held at St. John Church, in Winslow, on Thursday, March 20. Burial will take place at a later date.

In lieu of flowers, donations can be sent to Pine Tree Society, St. Johns Parish, or The Waterville Area Soup Kitchen.

GERALDINE SIDMORE

WATERVILLE – Geraldine Sidmore, 71, passed away peacefully on Sunday, March 16, 2025.

She was born June 27, 1953, in Waterville, to Alcide Gorneau and Doris (Soucy) Gorneau. She was a Waterville High School graduate.

She was a beautiful soul who knew many struggles with her health, but this did not stop her from making others laugh with her bright and positive personality. We would say she was the light in any room. Everyone loved “Jean” and we were blessed to call her family and friend, she will be deeply missed. She was also known as the original card lady, for those who received cards for birthdays, illness, encouragement, and many other celebrations, knew how special it was to receive one of her cards.

Last year, when she found her health precarious she decided to have her own celebration of life in September 2024. She wanted to celebrate with family and friends while she was with all of us as she loved a great party! Many family and friends traveled to Maine from near and far to pay tribute to her. For those of us that attended, it was a very special time for all, and we will hold it dear to our hearts.

She worked for many years in the restaurant industry including, Webber’s Steak House, in Fairfield, Silver Street Tavern, and The Manor, in Waterville, and Nashua, New Hampshire. She ended her career at Hannaford, in Manchester, New Hampshire, before she retired.

She is survived by her siblings, Julianna Lyon, of Waterville, Raynold and his wife Elizabeth, of Standish, Louise Pooler and her husband Michael, of Belgrade; sisters-in-law Theresa Gorneau, of Vassalboro, and Sally Briggs and her husband Paul of Millsboro, Delaware; nephews and nieces, Catherine, Melissa, Aaron, Jason, Jeremy, Jennifer, Christopher, Ben, Ethan, Amanda and Roseanna; and many great-nephews and great-nieces.

She was predeceased by both parents; husband and the love of her life, David; siblings Reid, Roger, Richard, Robert, Gerald, Michael and Louis; nephew, Steven; her father and mother-in-law, Merrill and Betty.

A service will be held at Cornerstone Christian Fellowship, 2539 Riverside Dr., Vassalboro, on Saturday, March 29, 2025, at 10 a.m.

In lieu of flowers donations can be made to the Maine Children’s Home.

RICHARD BACKOFEN

SOUTH CHINA – Richard Backofen, 77, of South China, passed away on Monday, March 10, 2025, at his home, (41 years to the day he met his wife), following a battle with cancer. He was born on May 24, 1947, in Rockville, Connecticut, son of Charles and Hazel Backofen.

He was a sheet metal mechanic (tin knocker) for most of his career, installing furnaces and ductwork, having his own business for the last 25 years, before retiring.

He spent many happy years with his wife, camping with relatives and meeting many friends. They moved to Maine 10 years ago after building their dream home in South China.

He was predeceased by his parents, his brother, Charlie, sister Beverly and several nephews and niece Robin.

He is survived by his wife, Shirley; daughter Jennifer Backofen; son Nicholas Backofen; sister Carol (Gene) Gauvin; brother Robert (Beverly) Backofen; step-son Fred Dodge; and five grandchildren.

A celebration of his life will be held in the spring.

He has left his house and taken his home with him.

GERALD TRUNDY

WATERVILLE – Gerald “Jerry” Erlon Trundy, 84, of Waterville, passed away on Sunday, March 16, 2025, following a long illness. Jerry was born in Lewiston on July 18, 1940, the second of six children, to Wendell and Geneva (Hatch) Trundy of West Minot.

His childhood was shaped by his close family and community. His parents spent time with Jerry and his siblings enjoying the outdoors, hunting, fishing and gardening, passing along their tremendous work ethic, devotion to family, and their love of sharing special family gatherings for the holidays, family reunions, and other special occasions.

Jerry attended Edward Little High School, in Auburn, graduating in 1959. He attended University of Maine in Orono, earning a bachelor’s degree in forestry in 1963. He began his career working for Pennsylvania Department of Forest and Waters, and Maine Forest Service. In 1967, he went on to become a forestry teacher at Unity College, and at University of Maine’s summer forestry school. He enjoyed his work teaching and his fellow colleagues whom he worked closely with during the college’s early building years. In 1967 Jerry settled in Unity with first wife, Joan, and they had three children Jonathan, Jill and Jenny.

In 1976, Jerry met his second wife, Judy, and they were married in 1988. They lived together for many years at their home on Quaker Hill, in Unity. They spent their early years working together in raising their blended family of six children. Jerry was like a father to Judy’s children Scott, Tami and Todd. It was during these years Jerry developed a passion for cooking and enjoyed preparing and serving comforting meals to his family. He was interested in trying and sharing new recipes. And he and Judy enjoyed hosting holiday gatherings with their children and extended family. In 1978 he and Judy started a small residential group home. Together they worked over the years with great care and compassion, operating their home for 41 years until their retirement in 2019. They were devoted to their residents, considering each resident a part of their family.

Jerry was a devout member of the Quaker Hill Christian Church. Jerry and Judy loved their church family and were devoted to their faith in God. Jerry also held a Bible study group at home. In recent days, Jerry continued to reassure his family that ‘God had a plan.’

Jerry had many interests. He was a golf enthusiast, going on trips with his steadfast group of golfing buddies at golf courses across the state. He enjoyed tending to his vegetable garden and canning or freezing his harvest at summer’s end. He was a faithful follower of local sports teams, including the Boston Red Sox, New England Patriots, and Boston Celtics. He and Judy also enjoyed going to visit their time-share in Island Falls. Jerry thought the world of his family. With a growing family of children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren, every birthday and special occasion was remembered with a special greeting card with a hand-written note inside. He also had a routine of keeping his children ‘from away’ up to date with the latest happenings with his informative and interesting hand-written letters.

In their retirement, he and Judy enjoyed a new phase of their lives together. They loved spending time with one another and with their Seton Village community of friends with whom they especially enjoyed going with on planned local trips and to the dances in Harland.

Jerry is survived by his wife of 37 years, Judy, whom he cared for all throughout their time together; and his children, son Jonathan and wife Rita of San Diego, California; daughters Jill and husband Peter, of Wayne, Jenny and husband Jeff, of Mt. Airy, Maryland; stepdaughter Tami and husband Gene, of Unity; stepsons Scott and wife Celine, of Windam, and Todd and wife Maryann, of Richmond; by the mother of his children, Joan Myrick (Sawyer) and her husband Joe, of Unity; and his siblings, Barbara Durgin, of Lewiston, David and wife Betsy, of Gray, Walter and wife Rachel, of Hebron, Gregory and wife Donna, of Bryant Pond, and James and wife Gail, of Hebron; 18 grandchildren, Kristi Williams and husband Brian, of Cypress, Texas, Karissa Trundy and partner David, of San Diego, California, Korinna Clark and husband Tanis, of Houston, Texas, Kayla Trundy and fiancé Dustin, of San Diego, California, Antoinette Buendia, of San Diego, California, Megan Stevenson and husband Taylor, of Wayne, Sydney Dood and partner Nathaniel, of Orono, Emily Carr ,of Hagerstown, Maryland, Lorraine Carr, of Mt. Airy, Maryland, Robert Myrick and partner Caroline, of Gray, Katie Cidre and husband Kevin, of Windham, Amy Joseph and husband Chad, of Oakland, Kevin Paquet and wife Jen, of Burnham; and step-grandchildren, Sheena Ellison and husband Ray, of Caribou, Diane Pinkham and husband Paul, of Richmond, Teagan Myrick, of Richmond, Samuel Jelley, of Cambridge, Massachusetts, and Caleb Jelley, of West Hartford, Connecticut; 19 great-grandchildren, Ethan, Dominic, Kayla, Katelyn, Jaxon, Grayson, Tanison, Arlo, Wren, Isla, Sawyer, Piper, Deklan, Alexis, Lainey, Walker, Josie, Kimberly and Christopher.

He was predeceased by his parents; his brother-in-law Winslow Durgin; and grandson, Michael Myrick.

Condolences, photos and remembrances to the family may be shared at http://www.Ripostafh.com.

A celebration of life for all to join together to share stories and remember Jerry will be held in the summer.