AUBURN – Gerard R. “Ben” Turcotte, 81, of Lisbon Road, died Wednesday, Jan. 23, at The Androscoggin Home Care and Hospice House with his family by his side.

Ben was born in Lewiston on April 25, 1926, a son to the late John and Matilda (LaFrance) Turcotte.

He was raised in Lewiston and later went on to serve in the U.S. Army during World War II. On May 8, 1953, he married Sally Ann Gay, and they spent 50 wonderful years together. Sally predeceased him in May 2003.

He worked for 23 years at Blue Rock, then 26 years at H.E. Sargeant, building roads as a paver operator. He was a member of Holy Cross Church, the American Legion and the V.F.W. He enjoyed gardening, wood working, watching birds and giving his grandchildren and great-grandchildren rides on his John Deere. Most of all, he enjoyed spending time with his family.

He leaves two daughters, Debra Martin and her husband, Roland, of Lewiston and Mona Smith of Lewiston; four sons, Larry Turcotte and his wife, Lorraine, of Lewiston, Conrad Turcotte of Milo, James Turcotte and his wife, Diane, of Litchfield and Alan Turcotte of Oxford; 16 grandchildren; seven great-grandchildren; two sisters, Lorraine Belanger and her husband, Edgar, of Lewiston and Sister Renee Turcotte, O.P., of Lewiston; a sister-in-law, Annette Turcotte; a brother-in-law, Leo Dumond; and many nieces and nephews.

He was predeceased by a brother, Roger Turcotte; and three sisters, Laurette Buteau, Florence Morin and Therese Dumond.