Normand B. Hamel

1931 – 2010

LEWISTON — Normand B. Hamel, 78, of Auburn died unexpectedly on Saturday, March 20, upon arrival at St. Mary’s Regional Medical Center.

He was born in Lewiston, Oct. 27, 1931, the son of Ovida and Elizabeth (Blais) Hamel and had been a resident of this community all of his life.

He owned and operated Hamel’s Variety in Auburn from 1973 till his retirement in 1997.

He was a parishioner of St. Louis Church and a member of the Auburn Senior Citizens.

He loved tending to his garden, helping out his children and most of all enjoyed dancing, especially the jitterbug. He was known as a great animated story teller. People would just be drawn to him. As much as he was a hard worker, he enjoyed life equally.

He is survived by his wife of nearly 60 years, the former Lucienne Raymond, whom he married on Nov. 25, 1950, of Auburn; three sons, Daniel Hamel and his wife, Donna, of North Carolina, Don Hamel and his loving companion, Ruth O’Brien, of Auburn and David Hamel and his loving companion, Nora Bard, of Lewiston; three daughters, Terri Hamel of Auburn, Connie Pynes and her husband, Richard, of Auburn and Jane Beaudoin and her husband, Raymond, of Lewiston; two sisters, Fleurette Liberty and her husband, Conrad, of Auburn and Priscilla Allard of Massachusetts; seven grandchildren; 12 great-grandchildren; and many nieces and nephews.

He was predeceased by two brothers, Lucien and Emilien Hamel.