1919 – 2003

GREENE – George Emile Janelle, 83, of 293 Merrill Hill Road, Greene, died Friday, April 11, at his home with his family by his side.

He was born in Lewiston on Sept. 13, 1919, the son of Reginald and Alma (Croteau) Janelle. He attended school in Auburn and later went on to serve in the United States Army during World War II. On May 6, 1944, he married the former Lucille Labonte and settled down to raise their family. He was a member of St. Louis Parish and a longtime member of the American Legion of New Auburn Post 153.

He had many employers but his favorite was with the Auburn School Department as a custodian where he made many friends. He would always greet people with a smile and always said “you’re looking good!” even if he was on the telephone. George was an avid sports fan; he would watch football, hockey and baseball on TV, as well as go to sporting events that his grandchildren belonged to. He was a family man and loved spending time with his daughters, grandchildren, great-grandchildren and siblings. In 1987, after the death of his wife Lucille, he took over her flower gardens and carried on the beauty that she had created because he missed her so much.

Survivors include three daughters, Joanne Gastonguay of Auburn, Lianne Grover and her husband, Michael, of Greene, and Diane Desenberg and her husband, Mark, of South Berwick; seven grandchildren, Heidi Johnson and her husband, Charles, of Auburn, Jeffrey Grover, stationed in Germany, Kevin Grover and his wife, Rebecca, of Windham, Christopher Grover and his wife, Mindy, of Freeport, Laura Lee Grover of Greene, and Matthew and Samantha Desenberg of South Berwick; three great-grandchildren, Courtney and Brian Johnson of Auburn and Lilian (Lily) Grover of Windham; five sisters, Anne Marie Janelle and Priscilla Labonte of Lewiston, Blanche Wilson of Virginia, Theresa Blouin and her husband, Ronald, of California, and Germaine Doyon and her husband, Bert, of Auburn; one brother, Reginald Janelle and his wife, Joanne, of Lewiston; a son-in-law, Roger Gastonguay; and many neices and nephews.

George was predeceased by his wife of 43 years; three sisters, Eva, Elsie and Victoria; and four brothers, Laurier, Lauriat, William and Adrien.

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