AUBURN – Lionel “Nel” P. Potvin, 74, of Lewiston, died Saturday morning, July 15, at The Hospice House of Androscoggin after a long and courageous battle with cancer.

Born in Auburn on June 29, 1932, he was the son of Alfred and Yvonne (Turgeon) Potvin. He was educated in Lewiston schools and was a graduate of Hansen Hairstyling and Barber College.

He was in the U.S. Air Force for three years, serving one year in Korea.

He was a lifetime member of the DAV, serving two years as commander of Chapter 11, a third degree member of the Knights of Columbus Council 106, member of the former American Legion Post 22, the Eagles Club, president and honorary member of the Past Time Club, the Twenty M Club, former director of St. Mary’s Credit Union for 17 years and serving as its president for two years, Democratic City Committee for more than 20 years, past warden of Ward 6 for 13 years, and served in Lewiston City Council for Ward 6 for 10 years.

He then retired from politics due to poor health, having never lost an election.

He owned and operated Nel’s Barber Shop and then worked at St. Mary’s Hospital for 17 years, where he was supervisor of housekeeping.

He is survived by his beloved wife, whom he married on May 1, 1954, the former Rita Beaudoin of Lewiston; four daughters, Linda and her husband, Leo Castonguay, of Monmouth, Joanne St. Hilaire of Lewiston, Susan Bergeron and her companion, Paul Olson, of Auburn, and Denise and her husband, Andy Parker, of Lewiston; one son, Paul and his wife, Louise Potvin, of Lewiston; four sisters, Jeannine and her husband, George Cloutier, Lorraine and her husband, Marcel Gagnon, Fleurette and her husband, Reno Bell, and Dorothy Levasseur, all of Lewiston; one brother, Normand and his wife, Florence Potvin, of Lewiston; 15 grandchildren, Lisa, Lauri, Lee and Leif Castonguay, Jennifer and Angela St. Hilaire, Eric, Nicholas and Valerie Potvin, Gaeten and Natalie Bergeron, Marco and Marcus Talerico, and Lucas, William Lionel, Julianna, Victoria and Patrick Parker; three great-granddaughters, Emily Hatch, Loreesa Potvin and Aubrey Castonguay; a special aunt and uncle, Adelard and Yvonne Turgeon, of Lewiston; and Nel’s mother-in-law, Ernestine Beaudoin of Auburn.