OBITUARIES for Thursday, January 2, 2025

JUDITH GRIFFIN

OAKLAND – Judith Griffin, 78, passed away on Monday, December 2, 2024. Judy was born on April 8, 1946, in Portland, to Roger and Patricia Langille.

Judy met the love of her life Tom Griffin, in eighth grade while attending school in York. It had to be fate because they stayed together through high school, college, and 54 years of marriage.

Judy was known for her love of the outdoors, her springer spaniels, and her gardens. She loved being on the water. Whether it was water skiing up and down the York River when they were in high school, or cruising on their pontoon boat with their dogs at her home of almost 52 years on McGrath Pond, in Oakland, she was never one to miss an opportunity to get outside.

She was predeceased by her mother and father, Roger and Patricia Langille; and a sister, Janice Walsh.

Judy will be laid to rest in her former hometown of York, in the First Parish Cemetery this coming spring.

Services are under the care of Wheeler Funeral Home, 26 Church Street, Oakland Maine.

RUBY M. KELLY

OAKLAND – Ruby Melina Kelly, 95, of Oakland died Wednesday, December 4, 2024. Ruby was born December 2, 1929, in Waterville, to Perley Abbott and Marie Collins-Abbott.

She attended school in Waterville and worked at Biddeford Textile Mill for 18 years.

Ruby was predeceased by her husband Lewis Kelly and her children Michelle, David, Billy, Linda, and Victor.

She is survived by three children, Paula Panneck, Donna Webb and Michael Kelly; along with many grandchildren, great-grandchildren, great-great-grandchildren; and several nieces and nephews.

A service will be held at the Veterans Memorial Cemetery on Wednesday, January 22, 2025, at noon, in Augusta. Burial will follow immediately after.

Services are in the care of Veilleux Redington Lawry Funeral Home, 8 Elm Street, Waterville, Maine.

DANIEL M. LIZZOTTE

WINSLOW – Daniel M. Lizzotte, 73, passed away on Saturday, December 7, 2024, following a long illness. He was born on May 17, 1951, to his parents, Jeannine Bolduc Lizzotte and Frank Lizzotte Jr.

He grew up in Waterville with his nine siblings, Steven Lizzotte and wife Judy, Francesca Lizzotte, Marie Ellis and husband Gary, George Lizzotte and wife LeeAnn, Jessica Reny and husband Brian, Jeffrey Lizzotte, Paula Grenier, Marc Lizzotte and Timothy Lizzotte.

He attended Waterville High School and shortly after graduation he met and fell in love with his wife, Linda Leathers, of Winslow. Together they had two sons, Craig and Nicholas Lizzotte.

In his adolescent years Dan enjoyed playing hockey and skating at Art’s Pool Hall, in the South End of Waterville. He also enjoyed and spent much time hunting and fishing with family and friends. He was a very talented and creative artist, with a large focus on oil painting and wood carvings. His art was vivid and beautiful. He was also an avid gardener who grew some of the most colorful and vibrant flowers.

He was predeceased by his mother and father, his sister Francesca, his brothers Marc and Timothy, and his niece Desiree Grenier. He leaves behind his wife of 51 years, Linda; their two sons, Craig and partner Lisa Pressey, and Nicholas and wife Kayla; and his four grandchildren, Olivia, Ilana, Lucas, and Troy.

ROLAND B. COTE

OAKLAND – Roland B. Cote, 69, passed away on Tuesday, December 10, 2024, in Oakland. Born on February 27, 1955, in Brunswick.

He married Katherine on November 21, 1998, and was a devoted husband for 26 years. Roland was a loving father to his daughters, Audrey Kathryn Nale and Shelby Robben Cote, and stepchildren, Sarah and Josh. His joy was multiplied as a grandfather to ten grandchildren.

Roland spent many years employed as a woodcutter and truck driver and ultimately retired from Oakland Public Works.

Roland is survived by his wife, Katherine; his daughters, Audrey Kathryn Nale (married to Thomas J. Nale) and Shelby Robben Cote; his stepchildren, Sarah and Josh; ten grandchildren; and his sisters, Deborah Cote, Donna Cote, and Darlene Strout (married to Richard Strout).

He was preceded in death by his brothers, Rodney and Rodger Cote, and his parents, Robert and Audrey Cote (Alexander).

The family has entrusted Wheeler Funeral Home, in Oakland, with the arrangements. Roland’s life will be celebrated privately in accordance with his family’s wishes.

Please visit http://www.wheelerfh.com where you can read Roland’s full obituary, as well as leave memories, photos, and share your sympathies with his family.

TALA W. POULIN

WATERVILLE – Tala W. Poulin, 51, passed away Tuesday, December 10, 2024. She was born, in Waterville, on July 16, 1973, the daughter of Robert Joseph Poulin and Gladys Marie (Harb) Avcollie.

Tala attended schools in Waterville, including Mount Merici and Brookside, graduating from Waterville High School in 1992.

She enjoyed spending time with her family, going for rides with her mom to see the horses and Christmas lights, and going to camp in the summer to sit by the lake. She liked to decorate for all the holidays but Christmas was her favorite. Tala loved her Fish Blue, reality shows, strawberry pie, and collecting all kinds of vases and masks. Her biggest Joy this last year was a road trip to Florida. She spent hours sitting on the Lanai watching the sunsets, listening to music, going to all kinds of new restaurants, without any trips to the hospital for daily infusions. It was the happiest she had been in years.

She was predeceased by her father Robert Joseph Poulin, her stepmother Gale (Kosobud) Poulin, and her stepfather Neil Bernard Avcollie

She is survived by her mother Gladys (Harb) Avcollie, of Waterville; her sister Marla M. Poulin and her partner Craig Hathaway, of Oakland; her uncle Frederick Harb, of Florida; nephews Randy D. Frappier and his partner Alexis Page, of Oakland, Gage R. Estes, of Mercer, Logan Estes and wife Felicia, of Wilton; and niece Jasmine Estes and her fiancé Chris Merrow, of Sidney; as well as many great nieces, nephews, aunts, uncles and cousins.

Services and burial will be in the spring, and will be announced at a later date.

JOANNE D. ELLIS

SCARBOROUGH – Joanne Dorothy (Marsh) Ellis, 88, of Scarborough, passed away on Wednesday, December 11, 2024, following a short illness.

Joanne was a lifelong resident of Waterville. Born, raised, graduated, raised her family, worked, served in the community and retired there.

She was well known for knitting beautiful afghans, sweaters, mittens, baby sets and infant bonnets for Northern Light Hospital, in Waterville.

She was predeceased by a son, Joseph Aaron; and sister, Mary.

She is survived by brothers Frank Marsh, of Los Angels, Californnia, and Gerald “Skip” Marsh, of Chesapeake, Virginia; daughter, Becky Ellis, of Waterville; son, Robie McSorley (Denise) ,of Scarborough; grandsons Hugh (Jessica), Hayden and Heath McSorley; great-grandsons Camden and Carter McSorley; and several cousins; nieces and nephews.

Per Joanne’s wishes, there will be no service of life and her family will spread her ashes at her favorite place in Maine.

ROBERT P. PELLETIER

BELGRADE – Robert “Pete” Peter Pelletier, 70, passed away on Thursday, December 12, 2024. Pete was born in Waterville on November 4, 1954, son to Lomer and Joyce (Palmer) Pelletier.

He graduated from Waterville High School and worked in the family business at Pelletier Auto Sales, in Waterville.

Pete was a kind and patient man who will be remembered for his wonderful sense of humor and sparkling blue eyes. He was a loving son, husband, and father who instilled in his children and grandchildren the value of living each day as though it were an adventure.

He was predeceased by his mother, Joyce (Palmer) Pelletier; brothers, Ricky and Randy, sister, Laurie; father-in-law and mother-in-law, Pete and Julienne, and brothers-in-law, David and Peter Simpson, Raymond Marr, and Dean Poulin.

Pete is survived by his wife of 52 years, Patsy; daughter, Janis (Todd) Noel; son, Peter (Debi); grandchildren, Lindsey (Tyler) Perkins, Seth (Beth) Noel, and Jack; father, Lomer (Rose) Pelletier; sisters, Lyla (Vernon) Carlow and Lindy (Vikki); brother, Ronny; sisters-in-law, Julie Marr, Nancy (Wilton) McDowell, Linda (Kirby) Rowe, and Jane (Tim) LaPlante; brother-in-law, Jim Simpson; aunt, Jeanne Lachance; as well as many nieces and nephews.

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

Please visit Pete’s memorial page at https://svremembrancecenter.com/obituaries/pete-pelletier-2024 where condolences, photos, and special memories may be shared.

BETTY A. TINKER

WATERVILLE – Betty Ann Tinker, 72, passed away peacefully in her sleep on Tuesday, December 17, 2024, following a long illness.Betty was born in Waterville, Maine, on Feb. 22, 1952.

She grew up in Waterville and attended Waterville High School. She worked as a teller at local banks. Later in life, alongside her first husband Richard Tinker, she owned and operated Interstate Sunoco and Towing. She loved to travel and visited Florida, Las Vegas, Foxwoods, the Olympics, and the Super Bowl. Betty was a beloved wife and partner to Don Marquis for over 20 years. Betty lived life on her own terms and cared deeply for her family, always offering her opinion.

She was predeceased by her mother Rita Giguere and her father Clarence Giguere, her brother Lester and his wife Ann, as well as her first husband Richard Tinker, to whom she was married for 30 years. She is survived by her husband Don; her son Eric Tinker, his wife Christina, and their daughters, Lindsay, Lauren, Elina, and Isabel and her niece Leslie Main.

A memorial service will be held in early summer 2025, in Waterville.

WILLIAM D. BRANCH

VASSALBORO – William “Bill” Daniel Branch, 91, of Vassalboro, passed away on Thursday, December 19, 2024. Bill was born in 1933, in Port Huron, Michigan, son of Irving Branch and Angeline (Robbins) Branch. Bill was the husband of Betty Mae (Edgerly) Branch.

Bill served as airman first class in the U.S. Air Force from 1951-1955 including service in Korea. Bill worked as a lineman for Central Maine Power Company, retiring in 1989.

Bill taught at Kennebec Valley Community College, in Fairfield, retiring in 1998. Bill attended Port Huron Junior College, in Michigan, and graduated from Southern Maine University, in Portland, with a bachelor’s degree. In the Vassalboro – Waterville area he sang with barbershop quartets and with local area church choirs.

Bill was preceded in death by siblings, Robert Branch and Beth Nichols; and by his daughter, Brenda Branch Dowdle (Tony), of California, Maryland.

He is survived by his wife of 70 years, Betty, of Vassalboro; three sons, William I. Branch, of Vassalboro, Brian (Jamie), of Madison Wisconsin, Kenneth (Maria), of Hendersonville, Tennessee; nine grandchildren, Charmaine, Makalea (Devin), Matthew (Theresa), Sarah, Nicholas (Lilly), Wyatt, Katherine, Makenzie and Camden; and two great-grandchildren, Genevieve and Maisie.

The family will hold a memorial service at the Pleasant Street United Methodist Church, at 61 Pleasant St., Waterville, at 10 a.m., on Tuesday, January 7, 2025. Interment will be private.

Condolences may be made to the family via http://www.vrlfuneralhome.com. Arrangements are provided by Veilleux and Redington Funeral Home, Waterville.

BRUCE H. STEVENS

MACHIAS – Bruce Harland Stevens, 75, passed away on Tuesday, December 10, 2024, in Machias, following a long illness. Bruce was born and raised in Lincoln, on April 16, 1949, to Harland and Grace Stevens. Upon graduating in 1967, he attended the University of Maine-Presque Isle.

Bruce’s great passion in life was radio. His golden voice, dry wit, and unassuming nature served Bruce in creating a long and successful career in broadcasting. While he created his first “radio station” at home in Lincoln, his first job was at his hometown station, WLKN. Bruce moved away from home and worked at WRDO, in Augusta, WABK, in Farmingdale, and WGAN, in Portland. Bruce left Maine in the 1980s and worked at various larger-market radio stations. He eventually returned to Maine and worked at WNSX, in Ellsworth, and Cruisin’ 93.5, in Waterville, before retiring in 2022.

Bruce was preceded by his parents, Harland and Grace, and his brother-in-law, Carl Andrews.

Bruce is survived by his children, Shannon Stevens, (husband Westley Rutter) and son, Nicholas Stevens (partner Mary Stottele); grandson, Holden Stevens Perry; his beloved sister, Sue Andrews; and his nieces, Stacie Easler and Lindsay Lenfest.

A celebration of Bruce’s life will be held in Augusta in the spring.

Arrangements by Mays Funeral Home & Cremation Services.

In lieu of flowers, please consider a donation to CHCS Hospice Services at https://www.chcs-me.org/donate.

RACHAEL J. PREO

WINSLOW – Rachael Jean (Herard) Preo, 87, passed away on Monday, December 2, 2024, in Augusta. Rachael was born on June 3, 1937, to Albertine (Proulx) and Joseph Herard.

Rachael graduated from Waterville High School in 1955, followed by graduation from Thomas College, in Waterville, in 1957. Rachael was a lifelong learner and continued her education at the University of Maine in Augusta, graduating in 1990 with a degree in business administration.

In her early years, Rachael worked for Laverdiere’s Drug Store’s home offices, in Fairfield; Marden Dubord Law Offices, and Sacred Heart Parish, both in Waterville.

Rachael is survived by her husband of 61 years, Alfred (Fred) Preo, of Winslow; her three children, Michele Jolicoeur and her husband Rick, of Vassalboro, Kimberly Rossi, of Gray, and Andrew Preo and his wife Sarah, of Indian Land, South Carolina; grandchildren Jenna Ward and her husband Jake, Marisa Jolicoeur, Cecilia Rossi, and Molly Preo; two great-grandsons, Malcom and Calvin Ward; her step-grandson, Richard Jolicoeur Jr., his wife Jillian, and their children Ashton and Aubrey; her sister-in-law, Charlene Breton, of Winslow, her cousin Gertrude (LaCroix) Huard; and many nieces and nephews.

A Mass of Christian Burial will be held at Notre Dame Catholic Church, 116 Silver Street, Waterville, on Wednesday, January 8, 2025, at 10 a.m.

Arrangements are under the direction and care of Gallant Funeral Home, 10 Elm Street, Waterville. An online guestbook may be signed, condolences and memories shared at http://www.gallantfh.com.