Obituaries, Week of August 30, 2018

ROLAND C. LESSARD

WINSLOW – Roland C. Lessard, 91, of Winslow, passed away on Sunday, August 5, 2018, at Oak Grove Center, Waterville, following a brief illness. He was born in Waterville on December 11, 1926, the son of Odilon and Alexina (Doyon) Lessard and lived in the Waterville-Winslow area all of his life.

Roland graduated from Winslow High School, class of 1944. He was employed at Scott Paper Company for 15 years and then employed by Central Maine Power Company for over 30 years, retiring in 1989.

Roland served in the U. S. Navy during World War II as a Radioman 3rd class, serving in the Pacific Area. He was a member of Bourque-Lannigan Post#5, American Legion, Waterville and Veterans of Foreign Wars, Post #8835, Winslow.

He was predeceased by his father, Odilon; mother, Alexina; sister, Olivette; and a son,l Jeffrey.

Roland is survived by two daughters, Cynthia Lessard, of New Jersey, and Carol A. Gaedtke and husband, Larry, of New Hampshire; two grandchildren, Christopher D. Biron and wife, Melissa, and Jamison D. Biron of New Hampshire; great-grandson, Maddox; and best friend and companion, Rose Manzo, of Winslow.

An online guestbook may be signed, memories shared and condolences expressed at www.gallantfh.com.

DENISE M. PELLETIER

WINDSOR – Denise M. Pelletier, 59, of Windsor, passed away at her home on Friday, August 10, 2018. Denise was born February 8, 1959, to parents Armand and Bertha Pelletier.

She grew up in Gardiner with eight siblings. She often spoke of helping her mom cook delicious donuts and helping her dad with his horses. She attended Gardiner High School and worked for the State of Maine Bureau of Motor Vehicle. Denise loved her “girls” from work and her close friends who did so much for her while she battled breast cancer for nine years. Denise loved taking trips with her family and significant other. She enjoyed sewing quilts, doing crafts, woodworking, and her flower garden.

She was predeceased by her sister, Sheila Jackson; her parents, Bertha and Armand Pelletier; and her grandmother, Alice Cote.

Denise is survived by her four children: Amy French and husband, Chris with granddaughters, Ryleigh and Norah: Michelle Haskell and husband, Rodney, with granddaughter, Christina, and grandson, Codey; Penny Wilson with granddaughter, Elizabeth Dugas, and grandson Teddy Walen; a son Scot Wilson and wife, Deidra, with granddaughter, Mayla and grandson, Matthew; her significant other, Paul Temple; two sisters, Sandra Lambert, Brenda Owens; five brothers, Norman, Dana, Larry and David Pelletier and Ricky Hume;

Memories, condolences, photos and videos may be shared with the family on the obituary page of the website at www.staplesfuneralhome.com.

TERRI L. BOYNTON

FAIRFIELD – Terri L. Boynton, 54, died on Wednesday, August 15, 2018, at her home. She was born April 7, 1964, in Belfast, the second daughter of Peter R. Perry and Rowena Young Perry.

The family resided in Massachusetts until the late 1970s.

She was educated in Massachusetts and Maine, graduating from Erskine Academy, in South China, in 1982, and Kennebec Valley Community College (KVCC) in 2002, with a bachelor’s degree in ITT-Tech. She worked for the China school system several years and was employed by Summit Natural Gas Co. for the last five years.

Terri met Ralph Frank Boynton at KVCC. They were married July 7, 2014. Terri and Ralph loved travel, camping, crafting, music and the arts, good food, and good friends and family.

She was predeceased by her father, and grandparents, Arthur and Hope Walsh and Maurice and Charline Bumps Young.

She is survived by her husband Ralph; mother Rowena Y. Perry; daughter Elissa Rowe Wynne and husband Chad and their child Stella Grace; son James Rowe and wife Meghan Belanger and children Madison and Sophia; step-daughter Jaime Fagan and husband Chris and her daughter Lorelai Rice, and step-daughter Jesse Turner, her sons Daniel Turner and Anthony Peace; sister Caroline Morgan, and her daughter Erin Leighton and husband Corey and son Alex; sister Robin Maraggio and husband Tom, and her daughter Abby Obin; father-in-law Frank “Bud” M. Boynton.

According to Terri’s wishes, there will be no services.

Memorial donations may be made to the Harold Alfond Cancer Center, in Augusta.

THERESE E. FROST

WATERVILLE – Therese Estelle Frost, 88, of Waterville, passed on Thursday August 16, 2018, at Mount Saint Joseph. She was born in Winslow on June 16, 1930, one of eight children of Emma (Roy) and Edras Pomerleau.

She was educated in local schools and retired from C.F. Hathaway, in Waterville, in 1990 following 30 years of service.

Therese belonged to the Ladies of Ste. Anne at St.de Sales Francis Catholic Church, in Waterville. She enjoyed playing cribbage with her husband and friends. Therese loved to travel and was known for being active and always on the go until her health began to change. She was a kind and generous woman who wore a smile where ever she went.

Therese is survived by her husband, Harold D. Frost; eight stepdaughters: Camilla Corson, Geraldine Maheu, Estelle Quimby, Anne Frost Rehner, Judith Frost Gillis, Barbara Frost, Marjorie Frost, Susan Frost, one stepson, Richard Frost; many step-grandchildren; niece and nephews.

She was predeceased by her first husband, George Cahill in 1974, and her second husband, Aurele Guerette in 1996; as well as all of her siblings.

A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated on Saturday Aug. 25, 2018 at 11 a.m. at Notre Dame Catholic Church, 112 Silver Street, Waterville with burial following in St. Francis Catholic Cemetery, 78 Grove Street, Waterville.

Please visit www.veilleuxfuneralhome.com to share condolences, memories and tributes with her family.

Memorial donations may be made to Mid-Maine Homeless Shelter, 19 Colby Street, Waterville, ME 04901.

JACQUELINE L. GOSSELIN

WINSLOW – Jacqueline (Lamy) Gosselin, 89, passed away on Wednesday, August 15, 15, 2018. Jackie was born and raised in Forge Village, Massachusetts, the daughter of immigrant Franco-American parents Hormidas and Helena (Isabelle) Lamy.

She was a member of the National Honor Society and worked at the local woolen mill prior to starting her family. In 1950, she married the love of her life and embarked on the full-time job of raising three children, later relocating with her husband to Winslow where she put down roots for the next 53 years. She worked at Waterville Adult Education for a time and engaged in community service through the Daughters of Isabella, working to provide help for those in need.

Jackie’s family grew to span four generations of which she remained the matriarch and hub, a job from which she never retired. Even through her last days she continued to care for her brood, telling them to eat and go to bed. She was the organizer of family holidays and instilled a love of celebration, laying her artistic touch on every birthday, holiday, and special event over the course of 68 years. She embraced her strong Catholic faith and spent endless hours praying for others, especially her family who provided her with ample opportunity. She was also the owner and operator of “Memere’s Motel” where her grandchildren checked in for countless sleepovers, often arriving in groups after colluding with each other through the cousin phone tree. Their Memere welcomed each and every encounter with open arms and loving heart.

Jackie exuded a gentle spirit that belied a fierce independence and iron will, which those who knew her intimately understood could not be broken.
Her innate toughness allowed her to remain living independently in her home where she most wanted to be, surrounded by her large, noisy, often chaotic tribe ranging in ages from one through 66. The antics of her great-grandchildren provided her with the gift of many laughs and so much joy through her last months. In her final days she glowed with love, joy and peace amidst the fruit of her life’s work, content with a life well lived.

Jackie was predeceased by her husband of 62 years Gerald Gosselin; her parents; her sister Dorry Melancon; and her infant granddaughter Courtney.

She is survived by her son Gerald Gosselin, Jr. and wife Gen; daughters Priscilla Rice and husband Michael, and Celeste LaPointe and husband Stan; grandchildren Kirsten Pomeroy and husband Cory, Stephanie Grondin and husband Travis, Rachel Reynolds and husband Andy, Lyndsey Giles and husband Doug, Jessica Poulin and husband Jared, Josh LaPointe, and Amanda LaPointe and partner Jimmy Page; great-grandchildren Cassidy, Courtney, Colby, Cooper, Cody, Chase, Chloe, Kaitlyn, Caleb, Jace, Joslyn, and Jude; nieces, nephews, great-nieces and great-nephews.

A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated at 9 a.m. on Saturday Aug. 25, 2018, at St. John the Baptist Church, Monument Street in Winslow, followed by internment at St. Francis Cemetery. Arrangements are under the direction and care of Gallant Funeral Home, 10 Elm Street, Waterville. An online guestbook may signed, memories and condolences shared at www.gallantfh.com.

Memorial donations may be made to the National Osteoporosis Foundation www.nof.org, and MaineGeneral Hospice, give.mainegeneral.org/hospice.

BERTRAND BARD

FAIRFIELD – Bertrand “Bert” Bard, 73, of Fairfield, died unexpectedly on Wednesday, August 15, 2018. He was born in Fort Kent on November 15, 1944, the son of the late Alcide O. and Cecile (Robichaud) Bard.

He attended school in Fort Kent, and graduated Waterville Night School after being drafted to the United States Army. He served from September 1969 to January 8, 1971. Bertrand received the (National Defense Service Medal, Vietnam Service Medal with Bronze Service Stars, Republic of Vietnam Campaign Medal, Army Commendation Medal with Oak Leaf Cluster, Purple Heart, Combat Infantryman Badge and Expert Rifleman.

He married Jill (Steeves) Bard on October 16,1971, and moved to Fairfield. He owned and operated Bert’s Auto Body, in Winslow, until his retirement.

He was predeceased by a grandson, Jordan Bard, and a brother, Rosaire “Shoe” Bard.

Survivors include his wife Jill (Steeves) Bard, of Fairfield; his two sons Jason Bard, of Albion, and his significant other Tina Dumais, of Waterville, James Millett and his significant other Margaret Bergeron, both of Waterville, two daughters Julie Bard, of Gardiner, and Jodi Handley and her husband Charles Handley, of Bangor; his grandchildren, Zack Bickford, Jamie Millett, Garielle Bickford, Jayley Handley, Makenzie Handley, Brody Richards, James Millett, Isla Bard; and great-grandson, Raiden Sidelinger; his siblings, Leland and Fern Bard, of Waterville, Ronald and Rita Bard, of Monmouth, Wilmer and Verna Bard, of Fairfield, Maurice and Barbara Bard, of Fairfield, Valier and Janet Bard, of Fairfield, Rosalind Bard Joseph, of Waterville, Bernette Bard Harvey and husband James, of Tennessee, Claudette Bard Rancourt and husband George, of Winslow, Elaine Bard Lachance and husband James, of East Vassalboro, Loraine Bard Belliveau and husband Chuck, of Waterville; and several nieces and nephews.

An online guestbook may be signed and memories shared at: www.familyfirstfuneralhomes.com

Arrangements are by Lawry Brothers Funeral Home and Cremation Care of Fairfield.

DOROTHY A. BELANGER

FAIRFIELD – Dorothy Alice (Gwazdosky) Belanger passed away Wednesday August 15, 2018, at her home in Fairfield. She was born in Winslow on either January 30 or January 31, 1926. The ongoing debate over which day stems from the desire to have a different birthday than her twin, Doris. (Neither of whom ‘came over on the boat’ regardless of what they told you.) They were two of the 10 children born to Russian and Polish immigrants, Stephen and Olga (Kachnovich) Gwazdosky.

Dorothy graduated from Winslow High School in 1945, where her yearbook recognizes she and Doris’ penchant for confusing their teachers by trading places. Dorothy and Doris moved to Washington, DC, later that year to work as clerks for the federal government. Together they stood in front of the White House with thousands of others following the announcement that Japan had surrendered.

Dorothy moved back to Maine, met, fell in love with, and married Harold Belanger in 1951. The Winslow Black Raider had fallen for a Lawrence Bulldog who would not stray far from home. Dorothy and Harold raised five children and two businesses in Fairfield. They trademarked “Belanger’s Famous Tortiere Pies” in 1951. The pies were originally sold at Belanger’s Market which was run by Harold and his brother, Fred. Dorothy and Harold ran Belanger’s Drive-In and Dairy Bar from 1974 until their retirement in 1986. Not content to retire, Dorothy worked for several more years at Sounds Easy Video where she was once recognized as Employee of the Year. Dorothy also enjoyed participating in her Monday night bowling league winning several titles in the early 1990s.

Dorothy was predeceased her husband, Harold; her parents; six brothers, Nicolas, Alec, Joseph, William, Julius and John Gwazdosky, and three sisters, Doris Gwazdosky DeAngelis, Nellie McMahon and Luba Gwazdosky.

Dorothy is survived by her five children, Diane Veilleux, of Fairfield, Beckie Seeley and her husband Calvin, of Winslow, Linda Brown and her husband Gordon, of Rome, Russell Belanger and his wife Tina, of Fairfield, and Ruth Leigh and her husband Randy, of Fairfield; six grandchildren, Jenny Boyden and her husband Matt, of Clinton, Amy Foss and her husband Gerald, of Winslow, Tracy Leigh, of Windsor, Chelsea Brown, of Rochester, New York, Chace Belanger, of Portland, and Paige Belanger, of Fairfield; three great-grandchildren, Storer and Jillian Boyden, of Clinton and Cassidy Foss, of Winslow; and many nieces and nephews.

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

Arrangements are by Lawry Brothers Funeral & Cremation Care, 107 Main St., Fairfield.

DENISE M. PELLETIER

WINDSOR – Denise M. Pelletier, 59, of Windsor, passed away on Friday, August 10, 2018. Denise was born February 8, 1959, to parents Armand and Bertha Pelletier.

She grew up in Gardiner with eight siblings. She often spoke of helping her mom cook delicious homemade donuts and helping her dad with his horses. She attended Gardiner High School and worked for the State of Maine Bureau of Motor Vehicle. Denise loved dearly her “girls” from work and her close friends who did so much for her while she battled breast cancer for nine years. Denise loved taking trips with her family and significant other. She enjoyed sewing quilts, doing crafts, woodworking, her flower garden, and could do anything she set her mind to.

Denise is described by so many as the strongest woman they will ever know. She was a great mother but also a best friend and confidant to her children. Her most precious love was her eight “grandbabies.”

She was predeceased by her sister, Sheila Jackson; her parents, Bertha and Armand Pelletier; and her grandmother, Alice Cote.

Denise is survived by her four children; Amy French and husband, Chris, with granddaughters, Ryleigh and Norah; Michelle Haskell and husband, Rodney, with granddaughter, Christina, and grandson, Codey; Penny Wilson with granddaughter, Elizabeth Dugas, and grandson, Teddy Walen; a son, Scott Wilson and wife, Deidra, with granddaughter, Mayla, and grandson, Matthew; her significant other, Paul Temple; two sisters, Sandra Lambert, Brenda Owens; five brothers, Norman, Dana, Larry and David Pelletier and Ricky Hume; along with many sisters- and brothers in-law, nieces and nephews.

Flowers, memories, condolences, photos and videos may be shared with the family on the obituary page of our website at www.staplesfuneralhome.com.