OXNARD, Calif. – Laurier E. Jean, of Oxnard, Calif., died on March 3, at St. John’s Regional Medical Center in Oxnard, after a long illness.

He was born in Lewiston, on Aug. 31, 1923, the son of Antoine and Emma Rodrique Jean. He was a paint representative for Maine, New Hampshire and Vermont for 18 years.

At the young age of 8, he started playing the clarinet with the St. Cecile Band, then with the St. Dominic Band, followed by the Montagnard Marching Band, which appeared in the movie “Peyton Place.”

He was a hockey manager for the Cyclone hockey team and also a referee. After traveling through the 48 states with his family, he settled in Oxnard in 1984. He also proudly served in the Army, in the Presidential Special Forces.

Besides his wife of 50 years, the former Rachel Lamontagne; he leaves one daughter, Claire Bell and her husband, John; and his pride and joy grandsons, Richard and Luc; and granddaughter, Renee, all of Oxnard. He also leaves two sisters, Venise Moreau and Germaine Lamontagne; and two brothers, Henri Jean and Ronald Jean, all of Maine.

He was preceded in death by a son, Richard; and a daughter, Denise.