PORTLAND – Henry C. Castonguay, 81, of Libby Ave., Lewiston, died early Monday morning, Dec. 27, surrounded by his family at Maine Medical Center where he had been a patient for the past three months.

He was born in Jay, Sept. 29, 1923, a son of Charles and Eva (L’Italien) Castonguay. He was educated in Jay schools and was a lifelong resident of the Lewiston-Auburn area.

He was a Military Veteran having served in the Navy during World War II.

In June of 1953, he married Germaine Veilleux. She passed away in March 1982.

He later married Rita Miliard on Sept. 4, 1993.

After the war, he worked as a civil servant, eventually managing a power plant at the S.A.G.E. complex in Topsham. He then managed his brother-in-law’s lumber business for many years, and after retirement owned and operated his own business rebuilding electrical components.

He was a member of Saints Peter and Paul’s Church where he was very active with the church renovation committee, the Holy Name Society and the Religious Education Program. He was also a member of the American Legion Post 22, Holy Cross Seniors and the Knights of Columbus Council 106, as well as the 4th Degree Wallace Assembly.

Among his favorite enjoyments were spending time with his family and friends, traveling with the Seniors group and gardening. In addition, he was quite an innovator of various gadgets and could often be found “tinkering” with them in his spare time.

He leaves his wife, Rita Castonguay, of Lewiston; a daughter, Anne Simmons and husband, Gary, of Raymond; two step-daughters, Rachel Robb and husband, Bruce, of Bowmanville, Ontario, and Sandra Leone and husband, Anthony, of Bangor; four sons, Dennis Castonguay and wife, Suzanne, of Orland, Paul Castonguay and wife, Judy, of Lewiston, Pierre Castonguay and wife, Ruth, of Queensburg, N.Y., and Andre Castonguay of Sabattus; a step-son, Eugene Miliard and his wife, Ann Marie, of Cape Elizabeth; nine grandchildren; eight step-grandchildren; three sisters, Rosalie St. Pierre of Fayette, Laurette Bilodeau of Lewiston, and Eva Labonte and husband, Jean Paul, of Greene; and a brother, Lionel Castonguay and wife, Louise, of Livermore.

He was predeceased by a granddaughter, Michelle Castonguay; and several brothers and sisters.