LEWISTON – Joseph E. Nadeau, 85, of 82 Ste. Croix St., died early Monday morning, April 4, at his home, with his family by his side.

He was born in Waterville, Sept. 18, 1919, the son of Napoleon and Eugenie (Bernard) Nadeau and raised in St. Alfred, Quebec, then came to Lewiston in 1942.

He was founder and operator of Nadeau’s Garage since 1947. He retired in 1980 after having sold the business to his son, Donald, in 1978. Don operated the business until he retired in 2004, a total of 57 years of service to the Lewiston-Auburn community.

He served during World War II in the U.S. Army with the 370th Military Police Escort Guard Company. He was a member of Holy Cross Church and American Legion Post 22 of Lewiston. He was an avid woodworker, being very creative and artful. He loved gardening, cooking and fishing.

On Sept. 12, 1942, he married the former Franoise Fortin, who died April 16, 1976. He later married Marie Rodrigue on June 7, 1980, and she died March 20, 1986.

He is survived by two sons, Donald J. and his wife, Rejanne Nadeau, of Minot and Laurier E. and his wife, Flora Nadeau, of Los Angeles Calif.; two daughters, Joanne Nadeau and her significant other, Louise, of Sylmar, Calif., and Charline and her husband, Marc Blais, of Auburn; four sisters, Gabrielle Veilleux, Wilma Gilbert, Noella and her husband, George Nadeau, and Doris and her husband, Roland Poulin, all of Canada; seven grandchildren; five great-grandchildren; and several nieces and nephews.

He was predeceased by one daughter, Constance Nadeau; one sister, Violet Poulin; and two brothers, Clermont and Aurele Nadeau.