Rumford – Emile J. Frigault, M.D., 88, of Hall Hill Road, Dixfield, died on Tuesday Oct. 21, at Rumford Hospital.

He was born Nov. 23, 1919 in Caraquet, N.B., a son of Alexis and Valerie (Lanteigne) Frigault. In 1920, his parents came to the United States and lived for ten years in Athol, Mass. and Bristol, Conn. In 1930, they decided to move back to their farm in Canada.

He started school in Bristol, Conn. and finished primary grades in public school and at the convent at St. Anne de Beaupré. He went to college in 1938 and graduated in 1941 with a B.A., mention optimum. In September 1941, Emile, after working during vacation, entered the faculty of science at the University of Montreal. He then entered medical school and obtained a student grant from New Brunswick and the federal government. During the war, he joined the Canadian military while having the privilege to remain in school, and at the same time, having to do some military training.

On June 5, 1943, Emile got married. In March of 1947, he obtained his doctorate in medicine, cum laude, and a license from the Province of Quebec. In July 1947, he obtained his medical license. He pursued an internship in Montreal hospitals from October 1945 to March 1947. On March 1, 1947, he opened a general practice in Tracadie, N.B. In 1951, he got a federal provincial grant to study radiology at Charity Hospital in New Orleans, La. He was registered as a specialist in diagnostic radiology in 1954, by the Royal College of Physicians and Surgeons of Canada. He practiced radiology for 15 years in various hospitals.

Emile got a Maine license and moved to Eagle Lake at Northern Maine General Hospital. After three years he went back to full time radiology in Richmond, Va. After two years, he returned to Canada and practiced radiology. In 1969, he came back to the United States and started a new general practice in Dixfield, where he worked until 1990 and then retired.

Emile became a U.S. citizen in 1976. As a young man he enjoyed fishing, golfing, and skiing. Following retirement, he enjoyed oil painting.

Dr. Frigault is survived by three sons; Yves R. Frigault and wife, Jean Gray, of Temperance Vale, N.B., Dr. Jacques A. Frigault and wife, Rachelle Robichaud, of Tracadie-Sheila, N.B., and Jean R. Frigault and wife, Viola LaBreton, of Moncton, N.B.; and five grandchildren, Rénee Frigault, Marc-André Frigault, Danielle Frigault, Marie-Josée Frigault and Julie Gabrielle Frigault.

He was predeceased by his parents; and a son, Pierre Emile Frigault, in October 1962.