Edward M. Arsenault

1921 – 2009

WATERVILLE – Edward M. Arsenault, 88, passed away peacefully on Aug. 15, following a period of declining health at Oak Grove Rehab and Nursing Center where he had been a resident since July.

Ed was born in Rumford, on March 25, 1921, the eldest of ten children of Henry and Philomene Arsenault. He was educated in Rumford schools, graduating from Stephens High School in 1940.

He was employed by Oxford Paper Co. in the Quality Control Department from 1940 until he retired in 1983. He was a lifelong member of St. Athanasius -St. John Church and attended daily Mass in his retirement years.
He served in the U.S. Army from 1942 to 1945, a member of the 181st Engineer Bridge Co., in the campaigns of Normandy, Northern France, Rhineland, Ardennes, and Central Europe. He was a lifelong member of the American Legion.
On Feb. 7, 1948, Ed married Leanne Leclerc of Chisholm, and together they spent 61 wonderful years. They lived in Rumford until 2008 when, due to health issues, they moved to live at Volmer Country Living Center in Vassalboro.

Ed was an avid hunter throughout his life and had deep interest and knowledge about Maine’s wildlife. He was a true sportsman in every sense of the word. From the time he was a young man, he spent endless hours hiking and hunting the mountains around Rumford and Andover, and he did so until the age of 85. He also enjoyed hunting in the Palermo area with his son-in-law. He was a proud lifetime member of the NRA and logged many volunteer hours at sportsman shows throughout the state. For 37 years, Ed quietly served the Rumford Rifle and Pistol Club, which included serving as its secretary and treasurer for 29 years. He tirelessly promoted the club and the benefits of the NRA at gun shows and was a past president of the Pine Tree State Rifle and Pistol Association. For many years he was actively involved in the Sportsman Alliance of Maine. While he
resided in Rumford, he was a member of the Rumford Historical Society and the Acadian Society.

Ed is survived by his wife, Leanne Leclerc Arsenault; a son and daughter-in-law, Robert and Patricia Arsenault, of Satellite Beach, Fla.; a daughter and son-in-law, Michael and Janice Quattrucci of Waterville; five grandchildren, Tammi Sheffield, Kevin Arsenault, Christina Quattrucci, Angela Quattrucci and Anthony Quattrucci; four great-grandchildren, Jordyn and Bryce Sheffield and Stephanie and Alexandria Arsenault. Ed is also survived by a sister, Alvine Arsenault of Rumford; and two brothers, Armand Arsenault and his wife, Elizabeth (Betty), of Auburn, and Gerald Arsenault of Rumford.

He was predeceased by his parents; brothers, Euclide, Melvin and Lionel Arsenault; and sisters, Florence Blanchard, Anna Sirois and Lydia Fortin; and a special nephew, George Arsenault.