Augusta – Francois “Francis” Bernard, 79, a resident of Strickland Loop Road in Livermore Falls, died Wednesday, April 11, at Maine General Hospital following a lingering illness.

He was born in Livermore Falls, May 11, 1927, the son of Peter and Alice (LeClerc) Bernard and attended Jay schools. He served in the U.S. Army during World War II and the Korean Conflict. On May 2, 1958, he married Theodate “Teddy” Goulet at St. Rose of Lima Church in Jay.

He worked at Norwalk Shoe Co. in Jay, and Bass Shoe Co. in Wilton in the cutting room, retiring in 1992. He was a life member of the V.F.W., Frank L. Mitchell, Post 3335 of Jay, and enjoyed hunting and fishing.

He is survived by his wife of Livermore Falls; two sons, Steven Bernard of Jay, and Ronald Bernard and his wife, Angela, of Waterville; three daughters, Jean Bernard of Jay, Patricia Cohenour and her husband, Brian, of Auburn, and Denise Bernard of Turner; a sister, Arlene Castonguay of Jay; 10 grandchildren, five great-grandchildren.

He was predeceased by a brother, Albert Bernard.