LEWISTON – Joseph A. Desrochers Jr., 61, of Lewiston, died at home May 13, with his family by his side, after a long and courageous battle with IPF (lung disease).
Joe was born in Lewiston, on March 31, 1948, a son of Joseph A. Sr. and Anne Marie (Ouellette) Desrochers. He attended schools in Auburn and Gray-New Gloucester.
Joining the Air force in 1967, he began a decorated career in law enforcement as a military police officer. His pride and love for his career as a police officer were evident as he excelled in his job. He was selected to attend the Police Academy in New York, where he graduated third in his class. He retired in 1982 due to the onset of coronary artery disease.
On Aug. 12, 1967, he married his soulmate and the love of his life, Elaine Ouellette. He was an intelligent man with an inquisitive nature you would find in a child. He was very good at whatever he set his mind to and was a very accomplished handyman.
He loved the outdoors and anything associated with it. He was also very competitive and truly enjoyed beating his sister and favorite cousin, Doreen, at cards. He was a very kind man, loved people and helping others with their problems.
Living the last 25 years with heart disease, three open-heart surgeries and dozens of other procedures, could not defeat his love of life and desire to live. He epitomized what a husband and father should be. We could always count on him in our times of need, regardless of how sick he was. He loved his wife and children more than life. He was very much loved by friends and family alike and will be missed terribly. God bless and sweet dreams.
He is survived by his wife of 41 years, Elaine; two sons, Joseph L. of Lewiston and Jeffrey and his fiancée, Dana Caron, of Lewiston; a daughter, Danielle Desrochers and her fiancée, Nick Brown, of Lewiston; three grandchildren, Chanselor and Peyton Desrochers of Lewiston and Chalice Peohl of Texas; his sisters, Alfreda Fisher of Lewiston, Joyce Labonte of Lewiston, Ethel and her husband, Maurice Landry, of Lewiston and Sue Tremblay of Lewiston; sisters-in-law, Kim Schulthis and her husband, Andy, of Albany, N.Y., Susie Grimsley of Florida, and Carol Harvey of Florida; and best friend, Armond Scipione and wife, Cindy, of Syracuse, N.Y.
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