AUBURN – Henry M. Jalbert, 81, of Lisbon, passed away on Wednesday, March 25, at the Androscoggin Home Care and Hospice House surrounded by his large extended family after battling pancreatic cancer for seven weeks.

He was born in Lisbon on June 19, 1927, the son of the late John and Blanche Bouchard Jalbert. He was the youngest boy of 16 children, growing up on the family farm on Webster Hill in Lisbon. He was educated in Lisbon schools. When he was 17, with permission from his mother, he joined the U.S. Navy during World War II and proudly served along with his six brothers and one sister.

On June 19, 1950, he married Monette Tremblay, who had finally agreed to marry him after pursuing her for three years. She predeceased him on March 21, 1980. They made their home in Lisbon with their three daughters.

Henry began his working career at the Bonafide Mill in Lisbon. In 1958, his love for cars lead him into a career of selling automobiles. In Auburn, he worked for Park Motor Mart for 20 years, Paul Cantin Chevrolet for three years, and finally for Rowe Auburn for 28 years, where he proudly sold his last car a week ago. Henry was a local icon throughout Auburn, Lewiston and surrounding towns. His love for selling cars and devotion to his customers enticed future generations to seek him to purchase their cars.

Family was very important to Henry, and Rowe Auburn was part of his extended family.

Henry loved the Boston Red Sox, New England Patriots, watching “Wheel of Fortune,” dining out with his companion, Pauline, traveling to Florida during the winter months, gambling and most of all he loved to tease his grandchildren.

Henry was a member of Holy Cross Church.

He is survived by three daughters, Diane Robitaille, Marlene Godin and her husband, Pete, and Linda Gelinas, all of Lisbon; grandchildren, Kris Henry Robitaille of Washington, Keith Godin and wife, Rebecca, of Michigan, Koreen and husband, Tim Plourde, Nicholas Robitaille and wife, Christina, Scott Gelinas and wife, Sally, all of Lewiston, Lisa Godin and companion, Chris Tarazewich, of North Waterboro, Craig Gelinas and his companion, Kristy Carbonneau, of Sabattus, and Kayla Gelinas of Lisbon; great-grandchildren, Skylar Rose, Caleb, Owen, Jaxson Bertrand, and step-great-grandchildren, Ben, Katie, Alex and Chelsea; a sister-in-law, Gil Desmarais and husband, Ray, of Lisbon; a brother, John Jalbert of Lewiston; two sisters, Joanne Brame of Ohio, and Regina Tyrell of Florida; his special companion, Pauline Turgeon Dube of Auburn; and many nieces and nephews.

He was predeceased by his siblings, Normand, Joel, Eddy, Albert, Pete, Willie, Sister Constance “Gertrude Jalbert”, PM, Cecile Lemay, Jeannette Messier, Muriel Desjardins, Connie Duplissis and Lucille Springer; and a special son-in-law, Bertrand Robitaille.

We would like to thank Dr. Nedaa Skeik, Dr. Ataollah Letafati, and Dr. Mahesh Pandey and the Unit C2 nursing staff of St. Mary’s Hospital for their special care and compassion. Your loyalty to Dad’s health care allowed us to have him for 81 years.