LEWISTON – Rosaire M. Boisvert, 83, of 125 Summer St., Auburn, died Feb. 19, at Central Maine Medical Center. He had been ill for a number of years with chronic emphysema that led to heart failure.

He was born in Lewiston on July 22, 1922, the son of Gideon and Lucia (Fortier) Boisvert. He was a corporal in the Army during World War II and served as a radioman in an anti-aircraft artillery unit in Papua, New Guinea, Manila and Luzon in the Philippines.

He was raised in a French-speaking family and to his credit, he acquired his bilingual skills learning English while in the military. He was further educated through the Government Bill of Rights for veterans, where he learned carpentry. He apprenticed under a couple of local businesses including Harry Maxim Builders, before he became a self-employed carpenter and entrepreneur of a multitude of home building skills. He was well-respected in his profession and amongst his friends and was a lifetime resident of Auburn and Lewiston.

He was a member of Horizon 55, American Legion Post 22 and was an avid roller skater, frequenting Happy Wheels roller skating rinks in Augusta and Portland. He loved his family, and his family was deeply devoted to him.

He is survived by one daughter, Diane Boisvert Mitchell of Cape Elizabeth; two sons, Ron Boisvert of Colorado Springs, Colo., and Philip Boisvert of Sabattus; one stepdaughter, Mrs. Ron (Dianne Regula) Nichols of Colorado Springs, Colo.; two sisters, Theresa Marquis of Auburn and Cecil Buck of Lewiston; one brother, Romeo Boisvert of Lewiston; five grandchildren, Jason Scott of Portland, Anthony Boisvert of Windham, Dylan Boisvert of Sabattus, Curt Nichols of Austin, Texas and Melanie Nichols of Tyler, Texas; one great-granddaughter, Julianna Scott of Portland; a close personal friend, Jean Frank of Poland; and many nieces, nephews and cousins.

He was predeceased by his wife of 38 years, the former Edna M. Lavalle, whom he married on Nov. 9, 1957, and who died on July 28, 1995; by one sister, Irene Ouellette; and one brother, Roger Boisvert.