LEWISTON – A memorial service is planned for 2 p.m. Wednesday for Thomas L. Nadeau of South Paris, who died Oct. 12 at St. Mary’s Regional Medical Center. He was 88.

Born Aug. 9, 1918, to Frank and Rosie Nadeau in Caratunk, he was a World War II “90-day wonder” of the accelerated officers course at the U.S. Maritime Academy.

As a chief engineer on cargo ships and oil tankers, he sailed worldwide. During World War II, he made the now-fabled “Murmansk Run” to the Soviet Union carrying ammunition to wartime allies. On one run, he survived a sinking by a German U-boat in the North Sea.

Mr. Nadeau was later a marine surveyor for the American Bureau of Shipping. He owned and operated Portland Ship Repair and Marine Repairs, both in Portland, in the 1960s.

After a 40-year career, he retired as a marine surveyor for the U.S. Navy, where he held the rank of lieutenant commander.

Retiring to South Paris, he opened Tom’s Trading Post, a used appliance shop, where he became well known in the area as an affable negotiator for “used anything,” as he put it. A skilled raconteur, his sea stories entertained his many friends and customers.

Mr. Nadeau is survived by a son, Thomas L. Nadeau Jr, of Marysville, Calif.; a daughter, Nadine Nadeau of South Paris; granddaughters, Jessica Lara of Livermore Falls and Janice Lara-Hewey of Auburn; a grandson, Joseph Lara of New York, N.Y.; and several great-grandchildren.

He was predeceased by the mother of his children, Emerald Rollins Nadeau in 1972; and by his second wife, Pauline W. Nadeau in 2006.