AUBURN – Roger N. Forgues 86, of 440 Minot Ave., and formerly of 11 Janelle St., Lewiston died Saturday, May 30, at Hospice House of Androscoggin Home Care and Hospice with his family by his side.

Born in Lewiston, Dec. 25, 1922, a son of the late Armand & Marie Richard Forgues, he attended Lewiston schools and graduated from Lewiston High School in the Class of 1940.

He was a veteran of the U.S. Army having served in World War II.

On July 1, 1944, he married the former Gertrude R. Beaulieu who passed away on Feb. 23, 1968.

He was a member of the Prince of Peace Parish at St. Patrick’s Church and was employed at the Sun-Journal for 50-plus years. He began his work as a newspaper carrier and Team Captain from 1939 to 1942. He began his full-time work as assistant Sun City supervisor in 1943, moving to Journal circulation in 1944 and was named Journal City circulation manager in 1978. In 1986, he moved to the business office as the purchasing agent and retired from full-time employment in 1989. He continued on as the part-time purchasing agent until Jan. 1, 1994, at which he retired after his half-century of employment. He continued maintaining the “Years of Service” board for several years after his retirement.

The majority of his career at the Sun-Journal was spent teaching and managing newspaper carriers. Literally hundreds of young men and women first learned the responsibility of having a job with his help. This is why, even up to his death, it was normal to be out in public with Roger and have former newspaper carriers come up to him and say “You gave me my first job – or were my first boss – do you remember me?” Almost always he did.

In his younger days, he enjoyed fishing, bowling in the Sun-Journal league, ice skating with his wife and sons and fishing for bass at the summer camp on Cochnewagon Pond. Bass fishing was a passion for Roger. He would fish nearly every morning and evening, regularly catching bass, and eventually caught a lunker that earned him membership in “The One That Didn’t Get Away Club.” He was also very much involved in the St. Patrick’s Men’s Club and served for many years as an usher.

At home, he enjoyed woodworking and made numerous items for his children and grandchildren, including detailed bird houses. He also enjoyed gardening and working outside in his yard. The family very much enjoyed Christmas season with Roger, as it was a dual celebration for him having been born on Christmas Day. Roger enjoyed hearing stories from his grandchildren and about numerous accomplishments.

Roger is survived by his two sons, Paul and his wife, Paulette, of Auburn, and Daniel and his wife, Donna, of Auburn; his grandchildren, Thomas and his wife, Mary Jane, of Gorham, Kara of Massachusetts, Angela of Massachusetts., Allison of Auburn; and three great-grandchildren.

He was predeceased by his sister, Orencia Begin.

The family would like to thank the professional staff at the Androscoggin Home Care Hospice House and Clover Healthcare Assisted Living Center.