By Lindsay Tice,Staff Writer
The lifelong resident worked to improve life in the Twin Cities

LEWISTON – Lionel “Nel” Potvin, a longtime city councilor who fought to improve Little Canada and the lives of its residents, died Saturday.

He was 74 and had colon cancer.

“He did his work, and he did it well,” said Paul Poliquin, who served with Potvin on the council. “Lewiston should be proud.”

Potvin was born in Auburn and raised in downtown Lewiston. He married his wife, Rita, in 1954 and moved just down the street from his boyhood home in Little Canada.

His family and church were there. His French-Canadian heritage was there. It was the community he wanted for his five children.

“We enjoyed the area,” his wife said.

Potvin trained as a barber and opened a shop in the area, but long hairstyles eventually dissolved business.

“The Beatles came in and he had to do something else,” his wife said.

He began working at St. Mary’s Regional Medical Center, where he served as housekeeping supervisor for 17 years.

Through it all, Potvin remained in downtown Lewiston. But he saw the buildings sag, the streets fall into disrepair. So in the 1980s, he ran for the City Council.

“There was a lot to be done in the neighborhood, and he wanted it done,” said his daughter, Joanne St. Hilaire.

Potvin quickly earned a reputation as a passionate leader who demanded the best for his neighborhood and city.

“When he thought he was right, nothing could change his mind,” his wife said.

Potvin’s neighbors learned that he would listen to their complaints. They often called about potholes and snow removal, bridge problems and business issues.

“He was on top of it all,” his daughter said.

Potvin also took on bigger issues. He was part of a delegation that went to Washington, D.C., seeking money to fix the Bates Mill, said Peter Grenier, a fellow former councilor. He fought to keep a fire station in his neighborhood. He helped get rid of dilapidated apartment buildings and create city parks.

One of those downtown parks was named in his honor.

Although Potvin never backed down if he wanted something, he developed deep friendships with opposing council members. His charm and ever-present smile were disarming.

“He was a gentleman and I was a gentleman, and we agreed to disagree,” said Poliquin, who often met Potvin for a beer after council meetings.

Potvin served the council for 10 years and never lost an election, his family said. He left in 1994 and did not run again because of health problems.

Potvin died Saturday at The Hospice House of Androscoggin. His funeral will be held at 9 a.m. today at St. Joseph’s Church, where he was a parishioner.

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