OBITUARIES for Thursday, May 1, 2025

RICHARD P. SACK JR.

WATERVILLE – Richard Patrick Sack Jr., 92, passed away on January 17, 2025. He was born in Guildford on March 17, 1932, a son of Richard Sr. and Helen (Paul) Sack.

Richard will always be remembered for his quick wit, hard work and love of playing cards in his retirement years. He loved his family dearly.

Over his working years he did shipping and receiving and later in life worked at a local hardware store. Richard was a very proud member of the Schubenacadie Band of Indians, in Canada, and a member of Sacred Heart Church, in Waterville. Richard previously lived in Charlestown, Massachusetts and moved back to Waterville near retirement and spent the rest of his years there.

He was predeceased by his wife, Marie Shirley (King) Sack; his son, Richard P. Sack III; five brothers and four sisters; a granddaughter, Angelica Ruest; and a great-grandson, Zachary Allan.

Richard is survived by his children, Debbie Blanchard, of Clinton, Leiza Ruest, of Waterville, and Roseanne, of Connecticut; daughter-in-law, Rose Sack; grandchildren, Danielle Sack, Nick Ruest, Hailey Ruest, Stephen Sack, Joshua Blanchard, Corey Blanchard, Derrick and Victoria Sack; along with several great-grandchildren.

A Mass of Christian Burial will be held on Saturday, May 3, at 9 a.m., at Notre Dame du Perpetual Secours Church, 116 Silver St., Waterville. Interment of Richard will be held immediately following the ceremony at the St. Francis Catholic Cemetery, 78 Grove St., Waterville, ME 04901.

PATRICIA A. DOYON

WATERVILLE – Patricia Ann Doyon died peacefully in her sleep on Friday, March 21, 2025. She was a resident of Lakewood Continuing Care Facility, in Waterville. Pat was born on March 16, 1944, to Ronaldo Roy and Ora (Morin) Roy, of Winslow.

She attended Winslow schools, was employed by C F Hathaway Shirt Company, in Waterville, after finishing school. She worked there for over 30 years. Pat married Ronald Doyon, of Waterville. They were married in 1965, and lived in the Waterville area.

Pat was predeceased by her father Ronaldo, her mother Ora and her husband Ronnie, her brother Robert, and her nephew Scott Simpson.

She is survived by her brother David and his wife Germaine (Laplante) Roy; niece Lisa Roy, from Belgrade, and Justin Roy, from Denver Colorado, and Lisa’s children Graham and Grace Drown; Ronnie’s sister Nancy Simpson and brother-in-law Don Simpson; niece Wendy O’coin and her husband Gerard and her son Cameron, all from Waterville.

Her favorite things to do were to go out to eat and find new and interesting restaurants. She also loved to shop for clothes and house decor. She spent many long hours shopping with friends and family. She loved watching Turner Classic movies, cleaning house and ironing.

At this time there will not be visiting hours or a viewing per Pat’s wishes.

A graveside service will be held, when the weather is better, and also a celebration of life on the same day. There will be a post and mail out invitation when we have a date set.

BEATRICE M. BRAZIER

SOUTH CHINA – Beatrice Mey Brazier, 62, passed away peacefully on Monday, March 24, 2025. She was born on March 15, 1963, in Hartland, the daughter of Shirley and Shirley (Higgins) Brazier.

Beatrice built a life full of love, kindness, and compassion, creating her own family within her community. She was a woman of resilience who forged her own path, imparting a sense of courage and determination in all who knew her.

Beatrice was predeceased by her parents.

A memorial service will take place at Veilleux-Redington-Lawry Brothers Funeral Home, at 8 Elm St., Waterville, on Thursday, May 1, at 1 p.m.

Share memories and upload photos of her to the memorial page https://www.vrlfuneralhome.com/.

NANCY J. JOHNSON

CHINA – Nancy Jean Johnson, 88, passed away peacefully on Thursday, March 27, 2025, at Glenridge Long Term Care facility, in Augusta. She was born on August 12, 1936, to Frances and Donn Johnson.

She grew up in Winslow, along with her older sister Joan, and younger brother David.

Following high school graduation in 1954, she worked at Keyes Fibre Co. (now Huhtamaki), in Waterville, for two years to finance her studies at Becker Junior College, in Worcester, Massachusetts, graduating in 1958. Becker prepared her for a long career, first as a medical secretary to Waterville area doctors John Reynolds, and Stanley Beckerman, and then for Dr. Albert Aranson, chief of medicine at Maine Medical Center, in Portland, and later as executive secretary for a number of prominent Portland area businessmen including Dave Cloutier, of Maine Florida Properties.

Although she was a dedicated employee, Nancy found time to become a Big Sister, sing in choruses, perform in musicals, and spend time with friends and family, especially her nephew, Michael Johnson, and niece Elizabeth Johnson.

Nancy shared her love of music, especially from the ‘40s and ‘50s with an enthusiastic circle of friends who rarely missed a chance to hear a great band performing locally.

A resident of Falmouth for many years, she was an avid bicyclist, an outdoor activity she continued to enjoy into her 80s.

Her curiosity about everything and sense of humor were loved by everyone who had the chance to get to know her. During her later years, Nancy resided at the Alzheimer’s Care Center, in Gardiner.

Her family is especially grateful for all the care and compassion she received from the “ladybugs” at ACC (aka Gardiner House caregivers). Glenridge and Beacon Hospice staff provided safety, peace and comfort during her final days.

She is survived by her brother David and his family; and by her deceased sister Joan’s husband, Kendall Bassett, their three daughters and their families.

At her request there will be no funeral services.

JOAN W. DEERING

SIDNEY – Joan W. Deering, 73, of Saco and formerly of Sidney, passed away on Thursday March 27, 2025, following a long and valiant battle with cancer. Joan was born on January 9, 1952, to Rena Leadbetter Willey and Lt. Colonel Winston E. Willey, in Albuquerque, New Mexico. Joan settled in Skowhegan, with her family at the age of 9. Joan attended Skowhegan schools and graduated from Skowhegan High School, class of 1970.

Joan was predeceased by her parents Winston E. and Rena L. Willey; and her brother-in-law, David Rollins.

She is survived by her husband of 55 years, Cabot; her son Jeremy, his wife Kaleigh and their children Jackson, Lucas and Mason, all of Scarborough; her son Nate, his wife Rebecca and their children Bryce and Carter, of Windham, New Hampshire; her sister Margaret Rollins, of Troy, New Hampshire; sisters-in-law Helen Cianchette, of Palmyr,a and Pam Guerin, of Skowhegan; nieces Tamara Cianchette, Lynn Cianchette, Andrea Cianchette Maker, Tracy Deering, Brittany Guerin, and Lisa Rollins; nephews Charlie Cianchette and J Rollins; many cousins.

Arrangements are being handled by Dennett, Craig & Pate Funeral Home, of Saco, Maine.

Joan’s Celebration of Life will be held at Dunegrass Country Club, 65 Wild Dunes Way, Old Orchard Beach, Maine, on Saturday, May 10, 2025, from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m.

In lieu of flowers, Mom asked that people please make donations to St. Jude’s Children’s Research Hospital to help support children facing cancer at such young ages, who haven’t gotten to experience the 73 years of life that she had.

LENORA GILBERT

WATERVILLE – Lenora “Lee” Gilbert, 88, of Waterville, passed peacefully on Friday, March 28, 2025, due to complications from pneumonia. Born in Fort Kent on May 10, 1936, to Robert and Gertrude Landry, Lee lived a life filled with faith.

She attended Waterville schools and Goodwill/Hinckley, later achieving her certification as a Licensed Practical Nurse (LPN) in 1981. Lee dedicated her career to caring for others, working as a nurse in various settings before retiring in 2004, where she lovingly cared for the sisters at Mount Mercy.

Lee married Lawrence Gilbert in 1954, they raised seven children. Their Air Force life led them to Colorado in 1965.

Lee was preceded in death by her husband, Lawrence; her daughter, Cindy; her parents Robert and Gurtrude Landry; her brother, Robert Landry Jr., and his wife, Kelly, brothers-in-law John Mansur and Floyd White, and stepbrothers Verle and Michael Hutchison, and stepsister, Sandra Hutchison.

Lee is survived by her children, James (Leslie), David (Charlene), Thomas (Kim), John (Denise), Deanna, and Carol (Clifford); 15 grandchildren; and 35 great-grandchildren; her brother, Rudy Landry (Ginny), sisters Teresa White and Lauraine Mansur; stepbrother, Duane Hutchison (Rina); stepsisters Beverly Robertson (James), and Joyce Ronan; and many nephews, nieces, and cousins.

A memorial get together will follow a family graveside service on Saturday, May 10, 2025.

JENNIFER FROST

FAIRFIELD – Jennifer Frost, 44, of Fairfield, passed away Monday, February 17, 2025, a tragedy that she left us so soon.

Jen would light up any room she was in and always made everyone laugh and be happier around her. She had a personality that made you feel good just to be around her. Jen was a devoted mother, daughter, a loving friend and a source of endless inspiration. Even though she is no longer physically with us, her spirit lives on in the hearts of those who truly loved her. She will be forever remembered, cherished and loved beyond measure by many. Her love of life and people will always be a part of us. She enjoyed the outdoors and loved to walk her dog, kayak, swim, ski, paddleboard – any outdoor activity.

Jen always put the needs of others before her own – being a young, single parent with Ben as her only child. He was her world. She began working at an early age to support herself first as a CNA, later as a Pharmacy Technician, for many years as a Registered Nurse, getting her degree from the University of New England in 2006 and continuing her education to later obtain a master’s degree from the Massachusetts College of Pharmacy and Health Sciences (MCPHS) in 2017 – fulfilling her dream of becoming a nurse practitioner with a goal of helping many people.

She was so dearly loved and will be missed by her son, Ben; her parents, Ken and Susan; family members.

She bought her home in 2012 and was so proud of this achievement and was so full of plans on renovating it, never thinking such a tragic event could happen in the middle of her renovations. Her son and parents plan on completing her dream.

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

Any donations can be made through a GoFundMe page set up by Jen’s good friend, Nicole Lyford for her son, Ben. A compilation of stories and photos to share with Ben would also be nice way to try and help him through this grieving process that still looks unending.

ERIC FOURNIER

RALEIGH, N.C. – Eric “Rick” Fournier, 76, passed away peacefully on Saturday, April 5, 2025, in Raleigh, North Carolina. s

He was a man whose warmth, humor, and generous spirit touched the lives of all who knew him. Rick grew up in North Vassalboro, and was a 1966 graduate of Winslow High School, in Winslow, and a 1970 graduate of the Maine Maritime Academy, in Castine, with a degree in marine engineering and a commission as an ensign in the U.S. Navy Reserves.

Rick is survived by his wife, Lisa Fournier; his sons Chris Fournier and wife Fernanda, and Jason George and wife Erin; his siblings Wayne Fournier and wife Nancy, William Fournier and wife Katherine, and Cynthia Smith and her husband Robert; as well as many nieces, nephews and cousins.

Eric was preceded in death by his parents Carleton “Ike” and Renee (Markham) Fournier; and his sister, Patricia Soucie.

A Celebration of Rick’s life will be held on June 28, at the Smith Farm, in Winslow.

Please visit http://www.brightfunerals.com to share words of comfort to the family.

In lieu of flowers the family asks that you donate to the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society at LLS.org in his honor.

DIANNE L. LANE

SIDNEY – Dianne L. (Wilbur) Lane, 81, of Sidney, passed away peacefully on Sunday, April 6, 2025, while in the care of the Augusta Center for Health and Rehabilitation, in Augusta. Dianne was born on April 4, 1944, in Winslow, to Alton and Yvonne D. (Pomerleau) Wilbur.

Dianne’s career was in the banking industry. She spent many years until her retirement as the Manager of Ke-So Federal Credit Union, in Fairfield.

Dianne loved words, she was an avid player of Scrabble (a fan of Scrabble Go), never met a crossword puzzle she didn’t enjoy, and happily corrected you if you mispronounced a word. She never met a cat, dog or bird she didn’t like. She enjoyed taking vacations with her Aunt Rita and the stories they came back with were hysterical.

She was predeceased by her son Joseph Knowles, her mom Yvonne D. (Pomerleau) Wilbur, her sisters, Virginia Veilleux, and Donna Cayouette, and her brother Keith Wilbur.

Dianne is survived by her son Bryan H. Knowles and his wife Linda, of West Gardiner; their daughters Alexandra (Lexie) Knowles and her husband Anthony (Andy) Rice, of Roswell, Georgia, Deserae Knowles, of West Gardiner; great-granddaughter Summer Knowles, of West Gardiner; daughter Lisa Knowles, of Warren, Ohio; sister Linda Rodrigue, of Winslow; brother Everette Wilbur, of Waterville; and her nephews and nieces.

A Celebration of Life was held on Sunday, April 27, 2025, at 255 Trafton Road, Sidney.

Others Departed

LINDA R. GUITE

BRUNSWICK – Linda Rossnagle Guite, 81, passed away peacefully on Thursday, April 3, 2025, in Brunswick. She was born on September 16, 1943, in Biddeford, and graduated from the Kennebunk school system in 1961.

She earned her nursing degree from the Maine Medical Center School of Nursing in 1964.

Her early career as a nurse began in Waterville, where she worked alongside her husband, Lee Guite, in his private practice. As her family grew, Linda shifted her focus to community service—an area where she would leave a lasting legacy. She was inducted into the Boys & Girls Club of Waterville Hall of Fame in December 1995 for her work as a founding board member. She worked with the local hospital auxiliary committees, helping to raise funds for hospitals and scholarship programs. And was a member of the Oakland Planning Committee, playing an important role in shaping development during a period of growth.

Linda’s life was enriched by her love of nature and physical activity. Whether gardening in her yard, sailing along coastal routes, or skiing through snowy trails, she embraced every season with enthusiasm. Linda lived a life of deep compassion and joyful connection where family was always at the center of her world.

She is remembered by her children, Melissa Mantha, Stephanie Guite, Amy Greuel, Matt Guite; her grandchildren, Mika Mantha, Willow, Reed, and Teal Beavis, Olivia and Allison Greue; her brothers Etienne (Spike) and Foxwell Emmons; sister-in-law Nancy Guite Powers; nephews Christopher Guite and Jarrod and Logan Desjardins.

She was predeceased by her husband Lee Guite; parents Natalie (Richards) Emmons and Donald Rossnagle, step-parents Steve Emmons and Lorraine Rossnagle; and sister Dona Desjardins.

A Celebration of Life will be held on Friday, May 16, 2025, from 4 to 5:30 p.m., at the Emmons Preserve, 57 Gravelly Brook Road, Kennebunkport. Family and friends are invited to gather together to honor Linda’s memory.

To view the full obituary, go to https://www.mainecremationcare.com/obituaries/

DAVID W. WILSON

BOOTHBAY – David Warren Wilson, 78, passed away peacefully in his sleep on Friday, April 18, 2025. Born on July 30, 1946, in Skowhegan, David was the son of Raymond and Elizabeth Wilson.

He grew up in Waterville, where he developed a deep love for boating, fishing, and flying – passions he inherited from his father. A graduate of the University of Maine at Orono, David carried forward his family’s entrepreneurial spirit when he joined Kennebec Equipment Rental in 1964, the company founded by his parents. In 1979, he purchased the business and led it with dedication and pride for decades, expanding it from four to six locations. Even in later years, David could often be found visiting the stores, chatting with employees, and staying close to the work he loved.

David had a lifelong passion for machinery, but his interests stretched well beyond his profession. In his youth, he enjoyed hunting and fishing with his father and friends, and he was an avid pilot. Throughout his life, he remained devoted to boating and antique cars and traveled extensively, embracing the world with curiosity and enthusiasm.

David is survived by his wife, Susan; his sisters Beverly and Dale Musolf, and Jane and Dan Bickford; as well as a nephew and many nieces.

He was predeceased by his parents, his sister Sue Gilliam, and his brother Larry Wilson.

Per his request, there will be no memorial service.

He will be deeply missed by all who knew him.

In honor of David’s generous spirit and love for learning, donations may be made to the Jason Edwin Spinney Memorial Fund, c/o Boothbay Region Student Aid, P.O. Box 293, Boothbay Harbor, ME 04538.

LOUISE M. JOSLYN

Louise Marie (Williams) Joslyn, 92, died peacefully on Saturday, April 19,2025. She was born in Bath, on May 9,1932, the daughter of Frederick T. Williams Sr. and Rena F. (White) Williams.

Louise grew up in Bath, met the love of her life at a very young age, Eldon Joslyn Sr., whom she married on December 6, 1947. They had eight children together and celebrated 52 years of marriage before Eldon’s passing in 1999.

Louise worked at Bates Mill for several years before moving on to a job that she loved at Togus VA, in the main kitchen serving and delivering food to veterans. She retired from Togus VA in 1997.

Louise was a loving mother and a kind soul. Her family was everything to her. She was always there for others with solid advice, a quick-witted comment or a loving thought. After her retirement, she enjoyed doing crafts, reading and spending time with family. She could be found crocheting or quilting in her earlier years and later, when her vision became problematic, she would listen to her audio books.

She was predeceased by her parents, Frederick T and Rena (White)Williams, husband Eldon Joslyn, Sr., two brothers, Theodore Williams and Frederick Williams, Jr, two sons Gary Joslyn and Steven Joslyn, two sons-in-law Joseph Giguere and Stanley Cram, granddaughter Dawna (Noyes) Kent and great grandson Jacob Noyes. She was also predeceased by her good friends, Elcyon Bowden and Lavada Dugay.

She is survived by her children, Eldon Joslyn, Jr. and wife Faye, of Windsor, Gloria Giguere, of Oakland, Sandra Lamontagne and husband George, of Windsor, Linda Cram, of Manchester, Rena Swift and husband Carroll, of Jefferson, and Jay Joslyn and wife Diane, of Augusta; 20 grandchildren; many great-grandchildren; step-grandchildren; several nieces and nephews.

A short committal service will be held at the Maine Veterans Memorial Cemetery, Civic Center Drive, 143 Blue Star Avenue, Augusta, ME. 04330, in the Committal Shelter, on Wednesday, May 14, 2025, at 9 a.m.

A celebration of life will follow at Le Club Calumet, in Augusta, from 10 a.m. – 2 p.m. (Please RSVP to Sandy Lamontagne via text or phone if you plan to attend the celebration of life to accurately plan for food).

RICHARD B. FRENCH

SKOWHEGAN – Richard Bertrand French was born May 11, 1927, in Skowhegan, to Goff M. French and Alta P. Ellis, of North Anson, where he grew up and graduated from Anson Academy in 1944 one week after his 17th birthday.

He went to the University of Maine in Orono but left school when his father died. He married Elizabeth Corson in September 1948, in Anson. She passed away in 1975. They had three children, Goff R. French (deceased) who married Linda Handley and lived in Smithfield where Linda still resides, Hugh D. French (deceased) of St. Albans, and daughter, Hope F. Perkins and her husband Phillip P. Perkins, of Palermo.

He married Dorothy Wood in 1976 and resided in Winthrop until her death in 2005.

Dick is survived by a stepdaughter, who he helped raise and care for, Kathleen Clark Allen, of Madison.

He is also survived by grandchildren and great-grandchildren, Heather French Hoisington and husband Ben and their children Kaeden and Zoe Green, and Eli and Zoe Hoisington, all of Brunswick; Darren French and his wife Gillian and their children Jeremy, Lucas, Rhys and Christopher French, all of Hermon, Colin French, of Smithfield, Ceara French Templin and her husband John and their children Abigail, Hannah, and Grace Templin, all of Smithfield; Matthiew Otis and his wife Katy Berry Otis and children Brianna, Jaiden, and Ryder Otis, all of Torrington, Connecticut.

He started working for the Maine State Department of Transportation in 1947 on a survey crew, earned his Registered Professionals Engineers License and worked planning, surveying and building many of the highways and roads in Maine. In the mid ’60s he studied at home in the evenings DOS programing and moved to the computer division of Maine State Transportation. He retired in 1987 as the Director of Computer Services.

Services

FRANK ZIMBA

WINSLOW – Frank “Bill” Zimba, 81, passed away unexpectedly at his home, inWinslow, on January 23, 2025..

A grave­side service will be held at 11 a.m., on Saturday, May 3, 2025, at St. Francis Catholic Cemetery, 78 Grove St., Waterville.

Arrangements are under the direction and care of Gallant Funeral Home, 10 Elm St., Waterville. An online guestbook and full obituary may be found at http://www.gallantfh.com.

DEBBIE MATHIEU

MADISON – Debbie Mathieu passed away suddenly at her home on Monday, April 21, 2025.

A funeral service was held on Thursday, May 1, 2025, at Saint Sebastian Catholic Church, in Madison. A detailed obituary is available at https://svremembrancecenter.com/obituaries/debbie-mathieu.

JAMES A. DAVIS JR.

CLINTON – Memorial service for James A. Davis Jr., will be held Saturday, May 3, 2025, at 11 a.m., St. Francis Cemetery.Grove St., in Waterville.

Death Notice

BEECHER LADD

BURNHAM – Beecher Ladd Jr, 77, of Burnham, passed away on Thursday, April 24, 2025. He was born January 18, 1948.