AUBURN – Edward Arthur Fournier Sr., 76, of Jay, died Tuesday, Dec. 16, at the Hospice House.

He was born on Nov. 24, 1932, in Wilton, the son of Honore A. and Arlene (Ross-Smith) Fournier Hiltz and step-son of Elmo L. Hiltz. He attended Jay schools.

In 1951, he enlisted in the U.S. Army and proudly served his country in Germany and Korea, where he was a machine gunner in a Special Forces Division. He was honorably discharged in 1954, and received a National Defense Service Medal, a Combat Infantryman Badge, and Army of Occupation Medal (Germany), Korean Service Medal with three Bronze Service Stars and a Purple Heart Medal GO#77Hq 31st Infantry Division.

He was married to Geraldine Maillet on April 16, 1955, at St. Mary’s Church in Wilton by the Rev. William J. Kelley.

He worked at Norwalk Shoe in North Jay, IP in Jay and for Central Maine Power Co. in Livermore Falls, Rumford, and the Norway/Bridgton area retiring from the Lewiston branch in 1991 after 35 years of service.

He was a wonderful and devoted husband, father and grandfather. He loved his family and times spent with them. He was naturally outgoing and befriended all he came in contact with. He enjoyed the outdoors hunting, fishing and camping at several lakes with family and friends.

He fulfilled his greatest dream of going to Alaska in 1995, when he and his wife, Gerry, traveled by motor home with his brother, Herbert, and his wife, Deen, and enjoyed a three-month journey to Alaska and places in between.

He enjoyed many things in life including bee-keeping, time spent at his camp at Carrying Place Township and especially work around his home with his Kubota.

He was a communicant of St. Rose of Lima Church in Jay, a member of the Oriental Star Masonic Lodge 21 in Livermore Falls, Kora Shrine in Lewiston, lifetime member of the Frank L. Mitchell VFW Post in Jay, lifetime member of the North American Hunting Club and former member of the Knights of Columbus and Bee Keepers Association.

He is survived by his wife of 53 years, Geraldine Fournier of Jay; four sons, Edward Fournier Jr. and his wife, Sylvie, of Jay, Leslie Fournier and his wife, Patricia, of Sumner, Jeffrey Fournier and his wife, Sharon, of Jay and Dennis Fournier of Arlington, Texas; eight grandchildren, Jesse Fournier, Amy Dumney, Karen McDonald, Brian Fournier, Sarah Fournier, Douglas Fournier, Jason Fournier and Sean Fournier; two great-grandchildren, Camden Fournier and Natasha McDonald; a sister, Phyllis Pomerleau and her husband, Harold, of Jay; brothers, John Fournier and his wife, Gloria, of Jay and Herbert Fournier and his wife, Deen, of Florida; and many nieces and nephews.

He was predeceased by his parents and stepfather; a niece, Patsy Mikels; and two nephews, Timothy Maillet and John Fournier Jr.