LEWISTON – George O. Filion, 81, of 40 Cassell St., died Thursday, March 2, at St. Marguerite d’Youville Pavilion, of pancreatic cancer, after a five-month illness. He was assisted in his final hours by the exceptionally caring staff at d’Youville, Elaine Armstrong, Chaplain of Androscoggin Hospice, Rose McCloskey of the Catholic Laity, and the Rev. Gagne of d’Youville. He passed away peacefully with his sister and nephew by his side very shortly after the reading of the Psalms, the recitation of prayers and receiving the sacrament of the sick.

The youngest of nine children, he was born at home, in “le campe,” on Cassell Street, Lewiston, April 26, 1924, the son of Fidele P. Filion of Garthby, Quebec, and Modeste (Pinette) Filion of Frenchville. He attended local schools, both parochial and public, and prided himself in being able to recite his catechism lessons by heart as well as remembering the names and faces of his classmates at Jordan School. Possessed with an exceptional memory, he would sing verses of childhood religious and school songs, to the dismay of those around him. He was tone deaf and had no singing voice.

He was strong and hardworking all his life. He delivered milk for his cousin, LeClaire Dairy, worked in shoe shops and at other jobs before securing a job at Philips Elmet Corporation (formerly North American Philips) on Lisbon Road, in 1942. He retired as a group leader in the rod department after 45 years of service, in 1987. He always enjoyed his work at Philips, looked upon his coworkers as part of his extended family, and til his last days was very appreciative and proud of having had a good job with a good company.

He and his late brother, Romeo, never married, choosing to provide a home for their ailing parents, an ailing sister, and a widow and her two toddlers. He and his brother made room for as many as nine people in their three-bedroom home, not once complaining about the sacrifices required to make it work. He led a truly selfless and Christian life.

He is survived by his sister, Yvette (Filion) Dube of Lewiston; her sons, Paul and his wife, Armande (Begin) Dube, of Memphis, Tenn., Maurice and his wife, Anita (Moulin) Dube, of Lewiston; nephew, Roger Off and his wife, Joan, of Akron, Ohio; and his niece, Mary (Off) Sauer, widow of Eddy Sauer, of Kings Park, N.Y.

He was predeceased by two brothers; his brothers, Romeo and Rene “Pete” Filion; one sister who died in childhood; his sisters, Cecile Filion and Rose (Filion) Off.

Copy the Story Link