1916 – 2003

LEWISTON – Armand J. Blanchette, 86, of 168 Randall Road, died Sunday, April 27, at St. Mary’s Regional Medical Center.

Born in Chartierville, P.Q., Canada, Aug. 15, 1916, the son of Willie and Rosilda Roberge Blanchette and was educated in Canadian schools. He moved to Berlin, NH, where he worked at Glen Motors until he enlisted in the U.S. Army serving in World War II between 1942 and 1945 being discharged as staff sergeant.

He was married to the former Cecile Lessard Aug. 16, 1943 in Berlin, NH. They then moved to Lewiston in 1945 and he worked at Wade & Dunton, starting his own business as Armand’s Auto Body Shop in 1961. Retiring in 1981, he sold his business to Paul Dumont which is now owned by Dan Dumont.

Mr. Blanchette was a member of Holy Family Parish, a former member of the L & A Exchange Club. In his retirement he enjoyed making inventive repairs and changes at his cottage in E. Harpswell.

He is survived by his wife Cecile of 59 years of Lewiston; a daughter, Ann and her husband Lawrence Reynolds Jr. of So. Portland; his sisters, Donalda St. Laurent, Emilienne (Mignonne) Allaire, Fernande Poisson; his brothers, Marcel Blanchette, his wife Jean died Friday, April 25 of an auto accident in Florida, and Claude and wife Doris; brother-in-law, Norman Lessard; sister-in-law, Gisele Blanchette.

He was predeceased by a brother, Fernand Blanchette.