AUBURN – Yves L. G. “Babe” Nadeau, 85, of Lewiston, died Monday, Oct. 6, at the Hospice House of Androscoggin.

He was born in St. Ephrem, Province of Quebec, Canada, on July 2, 1923, the older son of four children of Georges Nadeau and Imelda Beaudoin Nadeau of Lewiston (formerly St. Ephrem).

He lived all his life in the Lewiston/Auburn area which he loved.

During World War II, he served in the U.S. Navy from 1942 to 1945, and participated in the Asiatic-Pacific Campaigns of Eniwetok, Marshall Islands; Guam; Leyte, Philippine Islands; Luzon; and Okinawa on the USS Virgo AKA-20, an amphibious cargo attack ship which earned seven battle stars for World War II.

He married Marcelle J. Dugal on April 5, 1943 at Sacred Heart Church, Auburn. He worked at his parent’s grocery store, Nadeau’s Market in Lewiston, and for his father-in-law as an accountant at a credit union on Lisbon Street before working with the family business, Friend’s Caterers, Lewiston.

Afterwards, he established, managed, and was cook of his own business, Friend’s Restaurant, which later was transformed into the Derby Athletic Association for which he became the steward for 40 years. The Derby sponsored men and women’s hockey and softball teams in Lewiston for many years.

On Jan. 15, 1996, he was predeceased by his second wife, Lucia Tribou Nadeau, whom he married on July 2, 1966.

Traveling was what he loved most and he took many enjoyable trips within the United States and traveled abroad including France, Italy, England and China. He was especially fond of tall buildings. Photography was also an activity that gave him much satisfaction. He documented all the family events with many photos and home movies that are very dear to his relatives.

Family meant everything to him. He also took slides of many buildings in Lewiston before they were demolished. Growing tomatoes and cucumbers near the porch of his city house gave him great joy as well as tending to his favorite houseplants.

He is survived by his son, Col. Gilles G. Nadeau (Ret.) and wife, Col. Alicia Tate-Nadeau, of Illinois; his daughter, Jeanne N. Brooks and husband, Robin Brooks, of Orr’s Island; two stepsons, Richard Tribou and wife, Carol, of Kentucky, and Robert Tribou and wife, Lee, of Bath; five grandchildren, Jeffrey of Georgia, Austin of California, Kevin of Texas, and Gavin and Lindsey of Illinois; three stepgrandchildren, Robin of Princeton and Aaron and Melissa of Kentucky; two great-granddaughters, Jessica and Lauren of Florida; brothers, Guy Nadeau and wife, Jacqueline, and Aristide J. Nadeau and wife, Germaine; three sisters, Dolores Moore and husband, Sam, Claudette Sirois and husband, Raymond and Gertrude Tremblay of Canada; and many nieces and nephews.

He was predeceased by his brother, Dr. Paul Nadeau; sister-in-law, Pauline; his parents, Imelda and Georges Nadeau; and his grandparents. Florida and Philibert Beaudoin.