WATERVILLE – Joseph (Joe) Arsenault, 71, formerly of Rumford, passed away peacefully on Nov. 28, at his Waterville home, in the care of his family and HealthReach Hospice, after a long battle with cancer.

He was born April 15, 1937, in Rumford, the son of Peter and Dorilda (Arsenault) Hodgkins.

He spent 22 years in the U.S. Air Force, where he enjoyed his time as an air traffic controller. He was a former member of the VFW and the American Legion in Rumford. In his free time, he enjoyed the peace and solitude of fishing.

Joe is survived by his wife, Florence (Demers) McLafferty Arsenault, whom he married on July 1, 1989, at St. Theresa’s Church in Mexico. They enjoyed 19 wonderful years together, 17 which were spent in Bradenton, Fla.

He is also survived by his children, Debra Peterson and her husband, Dale, of Pengilly, Minn., Cindy Luoma and her husband, Randy, of Grand Rapids, Minn., Cheri Steinhart and her husband, Dode, of Cohasset, Minn.; a son, Mark Arsenault of Grand Rapids, Minn.; his stepchildren, Vicki Johnson and her husband, Don, of Oakland, Clay McLafferty and wife, Sherry, of Turner and Dale McLafferty and his wife, Debbie, of Minot; his sisters, Theresa Gautreau and husband, Chester, of Bradenton, Fla., and Lorraine Arsenault of Falmouth; a brother, Ray Arsenault and his wife, Mary, of Bradenton, Fla.; along with nine grandchildren; four great-grandchildren; and a special niece, Jeannette.

He was predeceased by his parents; and brother, Fred.