Obituaries, Week of July 13, 2017

DEAN M. POULLIOTT

WINSLOW – Dean Martin Poulliott (“Riggin”), 57, passed away unexpectedly on Wednes­day, June 28, 2017, at his home in Winslow. He was born in Waterville, the son of Kenly D. Poulliott Sr., of Albion, and Glenna C. Rhodes (Bumps), of China.

Dean attended schools in China and Waterville. In his early years, he worked on farms, masonry work, Maine Central Railroad, Bath Iron Works, a logging company, Arb’s Beef, in Minnesota, and the last few years worked out of his home. He was a jack-of-all trades, also dabbling in antiques.

He loved gatherings with friends and family. He especially loved fishing of any kind with his sons and brother. He grew up in China, was outgoing, humorous and a hard worker, and would help anyone at any time.

He was predeceased by grandparents on both sides, his father Kenly D. Poulliott Jr., of China, several aunts, uncles and cousins.

Dean is survived by his mother, Glenna C. Rhoades, of China; his children Jason D. Poulliott and wife Katie, of Albion, Travis M. Pouliott and companion Vanessa, of China, twin daughters Jodie L. Pouliott, of New Hampshire and Jamie L. Kerr, of Virginia, Deanndra K. Pouliott, of Oakland and Jeremiah I. Nowlin, of Alabama; 10 grandchildren, Hayden, Eastern, Kyra, Kenyon, Elden, Lily, Leah, Ashly, Katelynne and Danelle; brother David A. Poulliott and wife Vicki, and their sons John and Eric, all of Winslow; aunt Rita Gilbert, of Albion and great-aunt Rachel Cunningham, of Waterville; and step-mother Marie Pouliott and family, of Albion.

Dean was a very sociable man, he loved his family and friends and like to tinker, thus the nickname “Riggin.” He made everyone laugh.

Arrangements are made by Mid-Maine Cremation, of Fairfield, and there will be no services.

There will be a gathering of family and friends at the home of his mother on Saturday, July 15, at 12:30 p.m. All are welcome to attend, light refreshments will be available.

Memorial donations may be made to the China Baptist Church, 36 Causeway Road, China Village, Maine 04926.

NAOMI SYLVESTER

ALBION__Naomi E. Powell Sylvester passed away on Sunday, June 25, 2017, while on a camping trip at Spencer Bay with her husband and close friends Fannie and Tom Begin. She was born in Waterville on November 13, 1950, the daughter of Thomas and Magueritte (Holman) Powell.

Naomi married Merlon Sylvester Jr. on January 2, 1970. They enjoyed 47 and half years of married life together. Naomi loved camping, and caring for her flower beds. She was a dispatcher for the Albion Fire Department for 12 years. She also had a great passion for recycling clothing and household goods for homeless shelters across Maine.

She was predeceased by her parents, and her grandson Merlon Sylvester IV.

Naomi will be sadly missed by her husband Merlon Sylvester Jr.; her children, Marji Sylvester, of Clinton, Dorothy Violette and husband Greg, of Albion, and Merlon Sylvester III and wife Tinna, of Albion; 11 grandchildren; five great-grandchildren; sisters, Rachel, Martha, and Lydia; and brothers, Andrew, John, David, Timothy and their families.

An online guest book may be signed and memories shared at www.lawrybrothers.com.

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

LAWRENCE J. BYRNE

WINSLOW – Lawrence J. Byrne (Larry), 90, of Winslow, died on Thursday, June 22, 2017, at Togus Springs. Larry was born on August 9, 1926, in Benton Station, the son of Lawrence and Lucy (Trainor) Byrne.

He graduated from Lawrence High School, class of 1943.

After graduation, he worked at Todd-Bath Shipyard, in South Portland, after which he enlisted in the U.S. Navy, serving in New Guinea and the Philippines during World War II. He was discharged in April 1946.

He had the good fortune to meet and marry the former Cecile T. Breton, in Waterville, on June 10, 1950, and made their home on Whipple Street, in Winslow.

Larry served an apprenticeship at the former Hollingsworth & Whitney Paper Mill, in Winslow, as a machinist and after several years he became a paper mill maintenance planner. He worked in the Winslow mill for all the owners: H&W, Scott Paper Co. and Kimberly Clark, for a total of 43 years.

He was a life member of the Winslow MacCrillis-Rousseau VFW Post #8835, Bourque-Lanigan American Legion Post #5, and the Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks #905, both in Waterville, and was also a member of the Scott Paper Management Club for many years.

Larry is survived by his children, John Byrne, of Medford, Oregon; Michael Byrne and his wife Debbie, James Byrne and his wife Laurie, and daughter Lisa Mitchell and her husband Jeff, all of Winslow; as well as nine grandchildren, Ryan Byrne, Sean Byrne, Erik Byrne, Amanda Byrne, Kevin Byrne, Cierra Byrne, Taylor Byrne, Jessica Mitchell, and Taylor Mitchell; and three great-grandchildren, Ajax Byrne, Sawyer Byrne, and Evelynn Byrne.

Larry was predeceased by his wife Cecile in 2015.

To view a video collage of Larry’s life and to share condolences, memories and tributes with his family, please visit www.veilleuxfuneralhome.com.

Memorial donations may be made to Mount Saint Joseph Residence & Rehabilitation, 7 Highwood Street, Waterville, Maine 04901.

DOLLIS H. BIZIER

VASSALBORO – Dollis Henrietta (Tardiff) Bizier, 93, passed away on Friday, June 23, 2017. She died at home, peacefully and surrounded by her loving family. Dollis was born on Feb. 6, 1924, in Waterville, to Alice (Vear) Tardiff and John Tardiff.

She graduated from Waterville High School, class of 1942, and this year she was thrilled to attend and celebrate her 75th class reunion.

She was a woman of extraordinary elegance, dignity and grace and she was loved by so many.

Dollis enjoyed the many family gatherings throughout the years. The annual Thanksgiving gathering, which required a hall due to its overwhelming turnout, was legendary.

She was an active member of the Waterville Alfond Youth Center for many years, where for decades she faithfully went for her daily swim, learning to swim at age 60.
She also had a great passion for cards. She was a state and New England award-winning bridge player and her competitive nature carried over to home cribbage matches, where she was always up for a game with family and friends.

Dollis married Reggie Bizier on July 19, 1947. Together they raised eight children. They would have celebrated 70 years of marriage this month.

Dollis was a parishioner of St. John the Baptist Church, in Winslow, now known as Corpus Christi Parish. She and her husband Reggie were well known for their altruism and gave generously to many charities, both locally and nationally.

She was predeceased by her son, D. John Bizier.

She is survived by her husband Reggie; her four daughters, Monique Studholme and her husband Richard, Genevieve Gosselin and her husband Gerald, Alice Marie King, and Denise Benson and her husband Walter; and three sons, Marc Bizier, Robert Bizier and Paul Bizier and his wife Sarah; and daughter-in-law Hope Shorey and her husband Thomas. She has 28 grandchildren, 41 great-grandchildren and three great- great-grandchildren. Dollis is also survived by a sister, Lillian Quirion and her husband Raymond; and many nieces and nephews to carry on her legacy of love.

Memorial donations may be made to MaineGeneral Hospice Care, 10 Water Street, Waterville, ME 04901, or Alfond Center for Youth, 126 North Street, Waterville, ME 04901.

SISTER CECILE GRENIER, CSJ

WINSLOW – Sister Cecile Grenier, CSJ, 85, died Saturday, June 24, 2017, at Mount St. Joseph, in Waterville. She was born April 16, 1932, in Lewiston, the daughter of Leo and Irene (Turcotte) Grenier.

She attended Holy Family School and St. Peter & Paul School, in Lewiston, Academy of St. Joseph, in South Berwick, and earned her B.S. in education from St. Joseph College, in Standish. She continued post-graduate studies at St. Michael’s College, in Winooski, Vermont; St. Paul University, in Ottawa, Province of Québec; two units of CPE, at Tewksbury State Hospital, in Massachusetts; and participated in International Seminar of the Congregation of the Sister of St. Joseph, in France.

Sister Cecile entered the Congregation of the Sisters of St. Joseph of Lyon, France, in 1952 ,and made first profession on August 15, 1954.

She taught at St. Rose of Lima School, in Jay, St. Anthony School, in Jackman, Sacred Heart School, in Auburn, and Holy Family School,in Lewiston.

She was involved in religious education and parish work in Sacred Heart Parish in North Sanford, New Hampshire; St. Mary’s Parish, in Lincoln; and St. Theresa’s Parish, in Oakland.

Her most unforgettable ministry was the time she spent with the people of Governador 17 Rosado, Brazil.

Sister Cecile was well known as a gardener and artist, someone who could spend hours working on an intricate cross-stitching pattern, and a lover of nature.

She is survived by her sister, Yolande Pettee, of Wesley Chapel, in Florida; and numerous nieces, nephews, and cousins.

Memorial donations may be made to Sisters of St. Joseph Ministry Fund, 80 Garland Road, Winslow, ME 04901.

DAVID B. VAN WICKLER JR.

CHINA – David B. Van Wickler Jr., 52, of China, passed away Saturday, June 24, 2017, following a long fight with heart and kidney disease. David was born November 28, 1964, in Everett, Massachusetts, to parents David Sr. and Joan (Bickford) Van Wickler.

He graduated from Winslow High School, class of 1984.

David, although blind, enjoyed movies and music. He also was a ham radio operator. He could read and type Braille.

David is survived by his parents, his brother William and wife Pamela Van Wickler, his nephew Cole and niece Caitlyn Van Wickler, two aunts, and many cousins.

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

JAMES R. SEVON SR.

JEFFERSON––James Richard Sevon Sr. passed away Sunday, June 25, 2017, in Jefferson following a long illness. Jim was born December 12, 1938 to Kenneth Sevon and Florence (Dunlop) Sevon, of Cushing.

After graduating from Thomaston High School, he served in the Navy on the USS Essex during the Cuban missile crisis. After his military career, he attended Gates Business College. He then worked as a controller for Richard Storer Construction and retired in 2001 from Lincoln Academy as their financial administrator. In 1979 he married Pamela Oakes and they were married for 37 years. Jim was a strong Christian man, a wonderful father and loving husband.

Jim is survived by his wife Pam; sons, James Jr. and wife Jennifer, of Virginia, Joshua Sevon and Courtney, of Jefferson, Michael and Joe,both of Jefferson; daughters, Heidi LaFlamme and husband Jason, of Gardiner, and Jill Wagurak and husband Ivan, of Richmond; sister, Sandra (Sevon) Lavoie; brother, Kenneth Sevon, both of Cushing; and a multitude of grandchildren, nieces and nephews.

CALLIE M. SIEGFRIED

JEFFERSON––Callie Mae Siegfried, of Jefferson, passed away at her home on June 26, 2017. Callie was born in Auburn, Pennsylvania and later moved to Reading, pennsylvania, where she met the love of her life, Carl Siegfried. They were married in Miami, Florida, in 1944, just before Carl shipped out for duty in WWII. They were married for 44 years until he passed away.

For more than 20 years, Callie spent summers in Jefferson, and winters in Myrtle Beach, South Carolina, where she attended church at the Calvary Chapel. Callie was extremely giving of her heart and soul; she was a talented artist and a devoted christian.

She is survived by daughters, Bernice Bailey, and Shirley McGill and husband James; son Karl Siegfried and wife Judy; eight grandchildren; and 16 great-grandchildren.

Condolences and messages for the family may be expressed by visiting www.StrongHancock. com.

Memorial donations may be sent to Calvary Chapel, 316 Bush Dr., Myrtle Beach, SC 29579.

JOHN G. NOEL

FAIRFIELD––John G. Noel, 86, passed away on Monday, June 26, 2017. John was born in Waterville on November 26, 1930, to Onzime and Julliette (Gagne) Noel.

He served proudly in the United States Army from 1954-1956. He was stationed in Germany with “The Big Red One.” After being discharged from the Army, John returned home to Maine where he and his wife Eleanor became house parents at Good Will Hinckley School. He was also employed at Keyes Fibre Co. where he worked testing new products until his retirement. He also worked at the former Marden’s Shoe store, in Fairfield.

During retirement John enjoyed traveling the state with his wife Eleanor, visiting friends and seeing the sights.

John was a member of The Shawmut Chapel, the Elks Club, the American Legion and the Shriners.

He was predeceased by his wife Eleanor; and daughter Laurie.

He is survived by daughter Jane, son Scott and wife Carol, son James; grandson Seth Poulin and wife Jessica; granddaughter Melissa Buxton, grandson Nick Buxton and fiancée Jasmine, granddaughter Erica and boyfriend Dennis; as well as several great-grandchildren, nieces and nephews.

An online guest book may be signed and condolences expressed at www.gallantfh.com.

Memorial donations may be made to The Shawmut Chapel Youth Fund, 57 Bray St., Shawmut ME 04975

OTHERS DEPARTED

DOLLIS C. JONES, 74, of Waldoboro, passed away on Tuesday, May 30, 2017, at Maine Medical Center, in Portland. Locally, she is survived by a son Mark Jones, of Vassalboro; and sister Darlene Cropley, of Windsor.