OBITUARIES for Thursday, April 20, 2023

HELEN E. MURPHY

OAKLAND – Helen Elizabeth Murphy, 87, passed away peacefully on Thursday, March 16, 2023, following a brief illness. She was born Dec­em­ber 2, 1935, in Fort Leaven­worth, Kansas, to Brigadier General Joseph and Inez Ready.

Helen was raised in Oakland and attended Williams High School where she met the love of her life, Larry Murphy. They married in 1960 and remained partners until Larry’s passing in 2018.

During the first 17 years of her marriage, they lived in Massachusetts. Helen would spend every summer in Oakland once the children were out of school until Labor Day, raising their four boys, while Larry commuted on weekends. In 1977, they moved permanently to Oakland on Snow Pond (a/k/a Messalonskee Lake).

Following retirement, Helen and Larry spent winters in Cocoa Beach, Florida, and later Cape Canaveral, Florida. There they enjoyed the warm weather, and new friends.

Helen’s greatest joy was spending time with family on Snow Pond where all the family and friends were always welcomed to create memories and cherish each other’s company. She was an avid Bridge player with many of her friends both in Maine and in Cocoa Beach, Florida, during winter months.

Helen is survived by her four sons, Daniel and his wife Linda, of Manchester, New Hampshire, Timothy and his wife Heidi, of Kingfield, Robert and his wife Heather, of Old Orchard Beach, Scott and his wife Rachel, of Manchester, New Hampshire; grandchildren, Amber, Patrick, Steven, Christopher, Riley, Andrew, Erin and Chloe; great-grandson Sutton; sister Barbara Eckley, of Dayton, Ohio; sister-in-law Sarah Enos, of Concord, New Hampshire, and brother-in-law Jim Murphy of Manchester, New Hampshire.

Along with her parents and husband she was preceded in death by her brother Joseph Ready and cousins Connie Looney and Dotty Campion-Corcoran.

At her request there will be a celebration of life at Notre Dame Catholic Church, 116 Silver St, Waterville, on Saturday, April 22, at 9 a.m. Following the service there will be a reception held at The Governor’s Restaurant, 376 Main St., Waterville.

There will be a graveside service announced at a later date.

An online guestbook may be signed, and memories shared at: http://www.lawrybrothers.com

Arrangements are by Wheeler Funeral Home & Cremation Care, 26 Church St., Oakland, ME

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Boys & Girls Club/Alfond Youth Center of Greater Waterville, 126 North St., Waterville, ME 04901

MICHAEL McMAHON

SIDNEY – Michael McMahon, 72, passed away at his home, in Sidney, on Wednesday, March 22, 2023. Michael was born on October 28, 1950, in Waterville, to the late Richard McMahon Sr. and Nelly (Gwadosky).

Michael joined the U.S. Marines early on in his life. After a tour in Vietnam, he was stationed in Vienna, Austria, where he met his future wife Renee. They were married three years later in West Berlin, known today as Berlin, Germany.

Michael loved to serve his country. He served in the Marines and the U.S. Army. Michael’s intelligence and skills as a Combat Engineer were high in demand, which lead to Renee and him being stationed all over the world throughout the years. No matter where they were or where they were living, Michael would always open the door and say to Renee, “Honey, I am home!”

Even with all Michael and Renee’s travels, they would always try to visit Maine at least once a year. It just so happened that every time they were able to visit, it was always in the cold weather, though this never bothered Michael.

Beyond being known for his dedication to his family and country, Michael was known for his wonderful sense of humor, his intelligence, having a heart of gold, and his willingness to always help a person in distress.

Michael was predeceased by his parents Richard McMahon Sr. and Nelly McMahon and brother Edward McMahon.

He is survived by his wife Renee McMahon, of Sidney; sister Patricia McMahon, of Waterville; brother Richard, wife Kim McMahon, of Sidney; his nieces and nephews, Kelly and Wade Stevens, Mark and Abigail McMahon and James and Megan McMahon.

There will be a graveside service with military honors announced at a later date.

An online guestbook may be signed, and memories shared at: http://www.lawrybrothers.com

Arrangements are by Wheeler Funeral Home & Cremation Care, 26 Church St., Oakland, Maine.

JACQUES L. JOLICOEUR

WINSLOW – Jacques L. Jolicoeur, 92, passed away peacefully on Sunday, March 26, 2023.

Jacques (known as Jack to family and friends) had a challenging but rich and full life. He was born with a spinal and arm defect. His wonderful mother, Claire, fought for him to have a normal life and he was fortunate to be one of the first children treated at Shriners Hospital. Because of his and his family’s hard work, he overcame most of his physical challenges and went on to be a captain of the Winslow High School football team, as well as playing basketball, and other activities. He then went on to graduate from Clark University, with a degree in business.

He landed his dream job as a salesman in manufacturing, which allowed him to travel the country and the world. He loved being a traveling salesman.

He was a wonderful provider for his family, which was very important to him. Throughout his life, he was generous to his family and to others. After semi-retiring from his full-time job, he ran several small businesses and became an active member of the community. He loved to socialize with friends and family. He was known for his joking manner, his sarcastic humor, and for being unapologetically himself. He was a member of the Masons, the Elks, the Le Club Calumet, and the Shriners Temple, in Lewiston.

Jacques was predeceased by his parents, Claire and Louis; sister Peggy; and former spouse, Elizabeth, with whom he maintained a supportive friendship.

He is survived by his children, Joel and Judy Jolicoeur; son-in-law Frank Nava; nephew Tom Page; and niece, Michelle Roberts.

A celebration of life will be held at a later date.

Arrangements are in the care of Lawry Brothers Funeral Home, 107 Main St., Fairfield where memories may be shared, and an online register book signed by visiting http://www.lawrybrothers.com.

To honor Jack’s memory, donations can be made to the Shriner’s Hospital.

ANN MARIE MORNEAU

VASSALBORO – Ann Marie (Rodrigue) Morneau, 71, passed away peacefully at her home Saturday morning, April 1, 2023. Ann was born in Waterville, on February 22, 1951, the daughter of Roland and Geraldine (Duguay) Rodrigue.

She attended Waterville High School. She worked at C. F. Hathaway Shirt Co., in Waterville, for 10 years, after which she ran a daycare out of her home while raising her children. She finished off her working years at Hannaford, in Waterville, and Buddy’s IGA, in Oakland.

She was a devoted wife and mother to three children and grandmother to one. She shared her baking and cooking talents with family and friends. She loved to explore the Maine coast, and always enjoyed a good prank or joke.

She was predeceased by her parents; brothers, Fernand Rodrigue and Donald Rodrigue; and her sister, Mary Steves.

Ann is survived by her husband, Richard Morneau, of Vassalboro; her three children, Scott Morneau and his wife Jennifer, of Auburn, Shawn Morneau, of Colorado Springs, Colorado, and Shannon Dunbar and her husband Benjamin, of Alma, Colorado; her granddaughter, Anna Morneau; her sister, Nancy Wing, of Waterville; and her two brothers, Ronald Rodrigue, of Oakland, and Gerard Rodrigue, of Waterville.

A memorial service will be held sometime in early June. The date and location will be announced at a later time.

Arrangements are under the care of Dan and Scott’s Cremation and Funeral Service 445 Waterville Rd, Skowhegan, ME 04976.

FRANCES T. YORK

BENTON – Frances Theresa York, 77, of Benton, passed away on Wednesday, April 5, 2023. Fran was born on October 17, 1945, to Dorothy and Joseph Thibodeau in Nashville, Tennessee.

Fran (aka) Darling met the love of her life, Charles York, in 1961 online (at the 30-yard line at a Lawrence High School football game). They were married for 57 years. They love to dance to their favorite song Tennessee Waltz. If you ever spent time with them, you knew how much they loved each other.

She had the biggest heart and a beautiful smile. She was a private person, but very witty and fun! She knew how to keep Charlie in line. She loved to cook, especially for Charlie’s old workplace, go for rides with him, and stop at lawn sales along the way. The couple traveled all over the state of Maine to poke around in the antiques malls. Fran was a very crafty person, she made beautiful baskets every year for her loved ones in the cemetery. She loved to play games and especially enjoyed beating Charlie in Farkle. There was nothing she loved more than getting the most wins in their yearly tournament. She also liked to line dance and loved all holiday decorations. She collected snowmen and Friendly Village dinnerware. She had two dogs, Rambo and Harvick, that she loved and took care of until it was their time to cross the rainbow bridge.

She had many accomplishments during her lifetime. One of them was that she worked for Colby College, in Waterville, for 34 years in food service. Another accomplishment was that she and Charlie were seasonal campers at Happy Horseshoe Campground for 36 years. You could see Fran riding her golf cart to the different camp sites visiting her camper buddies and playing bingo on Friday nights. She loved participating in many of the events at the “Shoe” over the years. She made many special friends and enjoyed many conversations while sitting in her rocking chair on her deck at their camp site. Oh, are we going to miss the… cabbage rolls… the fudge… and we are all left asking a lingering question, “Who’s going to make the gravy?”.

She is survived by her husband Charles; her daughter Carrie and husband Joseph Pomerleau; her son Charles York Jr.; two sisters Janice Beane and Camilla Levasseur; and her two brothers James and Arthur Thibodeau; two grandchildren, Nicholas Capeless and Owen York; and one great-grandchild Brooke Pullen.

She was preceded in death by her parents, Joseph and Dorothy Weaver Thibodeau, one brother Joseph Thibodeau and one granddaughter Kayleigh York.

A service was held for Fran on Saturday, April 15, 2023, at Lawry Brothers Funeral Home.

Arrangements are in the care of Lawry Brothers Funeral Home, 107 Main St., Fairfield where memories may be shared, and an online register book signed by visiting http://www.lawrybrothers.com.

RICHARD J. BEAULIEU SR.

CHELSEA – Richard Joseph Beaulieu Sr., 96, passed away on Thursday, April 6, 2023, at the Togus Springs Hospice Center, following a hard-fought battle with dementia. Richard was born in Augusta, on March 30, 1927, to Willie Beaulieu and Delina Levesque.

He grew up on Cony and Willow streets, in Augusta, with his 14 brothers and sisters. His industriousness was evident early as he collected scrap metal in his homemade wagon, delivered groceries and fixed bicycles to help support the family.

He was drafted into the U.S. Army at the age of 18, in 1945, and served two years during World War II, traveling to France and Germany. He was honorably discharged with an Army Occupation Medal and WWII Victory Medal.

He returned to Augusta, and worked for Statler Tissue where he met his bride to be, Theresa Dumas, which led to a 74-year romance. He worked there for 26 years and later worked for the State of Maine as a carpenter, building exhibits. One of his many exhibits included a 2,500-pound fiberglass egg, used as a booth to promote the Maine egg industry. He retired from the state after 22 years at the age of 62.

He loved life, adventure, home improvements and helping family and strangers. He enjoyed woodworking in a shop he built behind the house. He made unique cabinets for each of his children and grandchildren. He loved camping and explored Canada and New England every year with his family. He was very amiable and would introduce himself to his camping neighbors and anyone else who happened to walk by.

After retirement he and Theresa drove their camper to Alaska, Newfoundland, and explored the West to name just a few of the places they visited. Then in January, off to Florida for a few months to spend time with their extended family. Richard and Theresa also enjoyed cruises to Jamaica and the Bahamas.

Every summer, up until the age of 90, you could expect a huge, meticulous vegetable garden and a bag full of veggies to take home. His generosity extended to church family and strangers. He planted extensive flower gardens and made gorgeous bouquets for Theresa all summer long. At Christmastime, his unique wreath making was exquisite.

He was never a procrastinator. If family or friends needed home improvements, he was on it. He could patch, paint, wallpaper, rewire and build a fireplace or stairs to name just a few of his many self taught talents. He enjoyed checkers or ‘scratch’ as they called it with his brother Rome for years, a game that made them laugh so much. He loved bike riding, playing the piano and harmonica, jumping waves with his children, boating, four-wheeling and mostly making others laugh.

He was predeceased by his parents, his daughter Susan Emerson and her husband David, brothers Willie, Arthur, Ludger, Ronald, Clement, Raymond, Eugene and Paul and sisters; Jeanette, Jackie, Cecile, Gilberta, Simmone and Gabrielle.

Richard is survived by his wife of 74 years, Theresa; five children, Del Smith, Claudette Williams and husband Lloyd, Richard Jr. and his wife Terry, Michelle Newman and husband Doug; eight grandchildren, Lora Trow and husband Norman, Jessie Williams, Chantelle Hahn and husband Dylan, Lyndon Whitcomb and wife Mariah, Cassandra and Gracelyn Beaulieu, Jason and Jessica Skidgel; and six great-grandchildren, Taya and Nolan Trow, Keel and Marina Hahn, Addison and Ella Whitcomb.

A funeral service was held on Wednesday, April 19 the Church Hill Baptist Church, 258 Church Hill Rd., Augusta.

Burial followed at the Maine Veterans Memorial Cemetery, 163 Mt. Vernon Rd., Augusta.

Arrangements are in the care of Plummer Funeral Home, 16 Pleasant St., Augusta. Condolences, stories, and photos may be shared by visiting http://www.plummerfh.com.

DAVID L. TIBBETTS

OAKLAND – David L. Tibbetts, 80, has passed away. Born the second of seven children of Helen Kathryn Diamond and Oral Delmar Tibbetts in Augusta, he was raised in Winthrop and graduated from Winthrop High School in 1961.

David worked on the docks in New York prior to entering the U. S. Marine Corp. Following his military service, he entered Thomas College, in Waterville, in 1968, graduating in 1970 with a bachelor of science degree. He married Roberta Cross in November 1970. They resided in Waterville, until 2020, where they raised their two sons Ryan David and Peter Anthony.

After college graduation, David worked for Dead River/Silver Street-Ft. Halifax, in Waterville, as a general manager. His next career move was as assistant manager of Cottle’s Supermarket and then Hannaford, in Waterville and Belfast. David then worked for the State of Maine, Bureau of Alcoholic Beverages as Liquor Inspector and Regional Manager, retiring in 2005.

Community service was important to David. He served as chairman of the board of Notre Dame Federeasl Credit Union, and was chairman of Waterville City Council. For three months he served as Interim Mayor of Waterville. He was also involved in many committees in the community.

Hunting, fishing, golfing, bowling, collecting cameras, and watching his family at sporting events and theatrical productions were activities he enjoyed.

David was predeceased by his parents, sisters Caroline, Susan, and Kate, as well as brother Michael.

He is survived by wife Roberta Cross Tibbetts; sons Ryan (Anissa and children Kyrrah and Nicholas), Peter (Cara and children Grady, Maggie, Charlotte, and Sloane); brother Oral D. Tibbetts, Jr. (Carol), of Jay; and many nieces and nephews.

Celebration of life will be held at Thomas College, Summit Room, 180 West River Road, Waterville, Maine, from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m., on Saturday, April 22, 2023.

Condolences may be shared at Funeralalternatives.net.

In lieu of flowers please consider donations to Thomas College Scholarships in Memory of David Tibbetts.