HARPSWELL – Maurice Leo Goulet, born in Portland in 1923, the son of Wilfred & Elmire (Bilodeau) Goulet, and a longtime resident of Lewiston, passed away Friday, Aug. 31.

Maurice’s accomplishments were many. In the eyes of his five children, his most notable accomplishment was that of a devoted family man.

Maurice was a loving husband to Therese Rousseau for nearly 60 years and a supportive father of five children: twin sons, John M. Goulet (Westport Island), James L. Goulet (Chelsea), Marie A. Goulet (Augusta, Ga.), Marc E. Goulet (Lewiston), and Anne-Louise Goulet (Falmouth).

Maurice is survived by his wife and five children; three daughters-in-law, Jane Lessard (Westport Island), Shirley P. Whitney (Chelsea), Louise Tardif (Lewiston), and two sons-in-law, Timothy Kean (Augusta, Ga.), and David Fenderson (Falmouth).

Maurice is also survived by his brother, Fernand and Michelin Goulet (Lewiston) and sister-in-law and her husband, Jane and Raymond Laliberte (Sabattus). In addition, Maurice’s legacy includes nine grandchildren and three great-grandchildren.

Maurice was a loving man whose drive and motivation came from providing opportunities for his family. He loved life and embraced every day with great optimism.

He was a visionary with passion for green open spaces and had a love for the seashore. Maurice had many hobbies, including sailing, horseback riding, sports cars, as well as reading and enjoying life at Villa Mon Reve.My Dream House. He especially enjoyed making friends from strangers and had great ability in making everyone feel welcome and respected.

A graduate of Lewiston High School, he attended Bates College.

In support of the World War II, Goulet worked as a machinist at Hyde Windless in Bath. He had plans to fly in the U.S. Air Force until an untimely injury prevented him from accepting his appointment.

Maurice invested a lifetime contributing to the economic development of Lewiston and the state of Maine. His love for his city and state were exemplified by his belief in the hidden treasures, including the city’s beautiful waterfalls and canals. He sought to unite Lewiston’s great cultural diversity, industrial history and talented work force. In Lewiston’s rehabilitation efforts, Maurice proposed an innovative approach of creating a walking mall and Galleria on Lisbon Street. He created Lewiston’s “Salute to Progress” as an annual event supported by the governor as a way to highlight the city and all the development that had occurred during the previous year.

Maurice held many business leadership positions to include president of G+H Associates, president of the Steer Inn and Steak House of South Portland, president of WCME, the first FM radio station in Maine, “The Sound of Beautiful Music,” and a 20-year career with the Equitable Life Insurance Co. as a district manager.

Maurice was most known for his keen acumen for property development and is known as a real estate legend in Maine. Included in Goulet’s many projects in Lewiston are the Raytheon Complex, Paragon Glass, Hillcrest Poultry, Bird and Son, Geiger Bros., Knapp Shoes, Lawrence Distillery, Value House, and the American Trust Bank. Included in his projects outside of Lewiston are the Bangor Airport Hilton and walking bridge, AC Electric in Auburn, and Maplewood Poultry in Bangor.

Goulet’s accolades include trustee of New England College of Optometry, Who’s Who in the East, Lewiston Jaycees Man of the Year, and president of Lewiston Development. His civic activities include Lewiston Historic Preservation, Lewiston Planning Board, and an active member of the parish council of Holy Family Catholic Church.

All of these accomplishments grew out of his French heritage and beginnings in Lewiston, of which he was very proud of. Maurice’s entrepreneurial spirit started at a young age while working in his family’s business. Bilingual and proud of his French heritage, we celebrate his life.

An excerpt from a poem composed by Anne-Louise Goulet:

Years Have Passed

All Too Fast

The Dream Came True and Others Too

They Still Love and Live and Give and Do

Golden Memories Amassed

Children We

Five (Children), Nine (Grandchildren), and Three (Great-Grandchildren)

Should Learn From Them What They Knew

To Love And Live And Give And Do

How Happy We Would Be

Au Revoir Maurice.Our Dear Friend and Father.