Rumford – Joseph D.B.M. Lavoie, 85, formerly of Pine Street, Mexico, died early Thursday, at the Rumford Community Home where he had been a resident for the past three years.

He was born in Montmargny, P.Q. Canada, on Dec. 27, 1921, a son of Felix and Marie (Gagnon) Lavoie. He was educated in Rumford schools and remained a lifelong resident of the Rumford-Mexico community.

He was married to the former Marjorie Wilbur, who predeceased him in 2003, after 59 years of marriage. He was a Veteran of the Military, having joined the Army, on Aug. 2, 1940, and served his country in the 27th Engineer’s Batallion during World War II. He was honorably discharged, on Sept. 3, 1945.

He worked for 25 years in the paint shop at the mill, first working for Oxford Paper Co., until his retirement from Boise Cascade, in 1974. He was a communicant of St. Theresa’s Church, and was a member of Napolean Ouellette Post 1641 of the V.F.W., and the Robert Shand Post 24 of the American Legion. Among his favorite hobbies and enjoyments were spending time with his grandchildren, woodworking, working with stained glass, gardening and feeding the birds, and gaining a little bit of knowledge about different kinds of birds and their habits.

He leaves a daughter, Cheryl Dinsmore and husband, Phil, of Littleton, Mass.; two sons, David Lavoie and wife, Carol, of Mexico, and George Lavoie and wife, Susan, also of Mexico; five grandchildren, Lisa Cozzens and husband, Bob, of Massachusetts, Wendy Mahoney and husband, Jerry, of Massachusetts, Mikee Lavoie and wife, Carla, of Florida, Matthew Lavoie and fiancee, Alicia, of Gorham, and Nathan Lavoie, of Allenstown, N.H.; five great-grandchildren, Brandon, Aaron, Lindsey, Christine and Doug.

He was predeceased by his wife, Marjorie; a son, Joey, and a brother Gerard.

The family wishes to express their heartfelt gratitude and thanks to the nurses and staff at both the Rumford Community Home, and Androscoggin Home Care and Hospice for the loving care they gave to Joseph during his time there.