LEWISTON – A surprise anniversary party was held on Aug. 14 in honor of Laurier P. (Larry) and Constance (Connie) Morin of Lewiston, who celebrated their 40th wedding anniversary on July 25.

The party was held at the Fireside Inn in Auburn and was hosted by their three daughters, Claire and her husband, Brian Gravel, of Williamstown, Mass., Linda Heutz of Lewiston and her fiancé, Dan Stone, of Litchfield and Cindy and her husband, Richard Burton, of Lewiston.

The theme of the party was Hawaii and the couple was presented with flower leis upon arrival. The room was brightly decorated with hibiscus, palm trees, aloha balloons and live tropical fish on all the tables. In following with the theme, the guests also had use of the patio and the pool. A luau buffet was served and the cake was made and decorated by their daughter, Linda. Seated at the honor table with the couple were their mothers, Therese Morin and Liliette Cliche, both of Lewiston.

Mr. Morin and the former Constance Cliche were married at Holy Cross Church in Lewiston on July 25, 1964.

Mrs. Morin was employed at Star Clothing, New England Tel and Tel, Bath Beautiful and Campbell’s Boutique. She was involved in many volunteer fund-raising activities at Holy Cross Parish and St. Dominic Regional High School and was a patroness at St. Mary’s Hospital. She was a Girl Scout leader of Troop 299 for 10 years, from 1975 until 1985. She is currently a full-time homemaker, helping to care for their grandchildren who are the love of their lives. Her hobbies are crafts, crossword puzzles and playing bingo with her “bingo buddies.”

Mr. Morin was employed at Maine Aluminum in construction, Canteen Co. of Maine, and Hall and Knight. He has been a member of the Lewiston Fire Department for 33 years, where he is captain/incident commander. He is a member of Union I.A.F.F. Local 785 and the Maine Professional Firefighters Association. He also owns and operates his small business, C&M Ornamental Concrete. He is a third and fourth degree member of the Knights of Columbus, Chapter 106, in Lewiston. He was also involved with many school projects with his children and grandchildren. His hobbies are collecting, gardening and black-jack.

Their grandchildren are Celeste and Olivia Gravel, Daniel and Audrey Heutz and Wesley and Jenna Burton. They love traveling and in April of this year went on a three-week cruise to the Caribbean, Panama Canal, Mexican Riviera and California Baja.

As a special surprise, the couple received a call from Mr. Morin’s brother, Rene, who is stationed in Iraq with the National Guard’s 133rd Division, Co. C.