LEWISTON – J. Alfred “Joe” Bisson, 87, of 72 Jefferson St., died Wednesday, Oct. 5, at St. Mary’s Regional Medical Center with his family by his side. He died as he lived: quietly and calmly.

Born in St. Justine, Quebec, on Oct. 9, 1917, he was the son of Alfred and Eugenie Turgeon Bisson. He was educated in Canadian schools, and served in the U.S. Army during World War II.

He worked as a loom fixer at Bates Manufacturing Co.

Mr. Bisson was a member of Saints Peter and Paul’s Parish, where he served as an acolyte for more than 26 years. He was a member of the Holy Name Society and the Association Canados Americaine.

Service to God and country was not only a motto to Mr. Bisson, he lived it. Serving as chaplain of the DAV Chapter 11, Emilien Hamann Post and American Legion Post No. 22 Lewiston for 33 years, where he was awarded the honorary commander title. He was recently recognized by the Department of Veteran Affairs for unselfish dedication of 6,250 hours and 32 years of voluntary service at Togus Veterans Hospital. He was a familiar face to veterans and their families as he visited the local hospitals and area nursing homes, especially Ste. Marguerite d’Youville Pavilion. He was a member of the VFW Lewiston Post and prior to that VFW 8835 Winslow MacCrillis-Rousseau Post, and the Lewiston Senior Citizens. He was also awarded the Bronze Leader in DAV Commander Club.

He loved his wife and family, going to church and visiting the sick.

He will be remembered for his caring ways, soft-spoken manner, and lifelong unselfish commitment to others.

He is survived by his loving wife of 60 years, the former Juliette Paradis of Lewiston, whom he married Nov. 24, 1945; his daughters, Jolene Girouard and her husband, Maurice, of Lewiston, and Joyce Coyne and her husband, Coleman, of Auburn; a son, Ronald Bisson and his wife, Tina, of Longwood, Fla.; his grandchildren, Adam Lajoie, Todd and Scott Tarbert, Darcy Coyne, Noelle Abbott and Caroline Everett; three great-grandchildren, Alyssa, Sydney and Maya; six sisters, Rose Anna Pigeon, Therese Lacasse and Mrs. Gedeon Marie Claire Poirier, all of Quebec, Mrs. Yvan Josette Croteau of St. Justine, Quebec, Mrs. Jean Paul Mariette Poulin of Auburn, and Mrs. Benoit Lorraine Bell of Lewiston; and many nieces and nephews.

He was predeceased by his mother and father; stepfather, Telesphore Therrien; three sisters, Bernadette LeBlanc, Dolores Therrien and Simonne Bisson; and four brothers, Joseph Bisson, Gaetan Therrien, George and Wilfred Therrien.