­­­­­

MONMOUTH — Donald John Magloire Grenier, 68, a resident of Monmouth, passed away unexpectedly due to complications during surgery at the Lahey Clinic in Burlington, Mass.

He was born in Auburn on May 4, 1942, the son of Gerard Grenier and Elsie Mae (Bellmore) Grenier. He entered the Army in 1959 and was stationed in Germany during the Berlin Crises and watched the Berlin wall being constructed. At the end of his term in the Army, he began his life as an ironworker. He was a member of the International Association of Bridge, Structural and Ornamental Ironworkers Local 496. He took part in the construction of the Portsmouth Bridge, Cutler Transmission Towers, major expansions at the Jay Paper Mill, and the S.D. Warren Paper Mill. His final job assignment was at the Seabrook Station Power Plant in New Hampshire. During a Topping-Off ceremony in Washington State, he was quoted as saying with great pride, “The pine tree, temporarily mounted to the last piece of steel before it is raised into position, symbolized growth.” The American flag symbolizes its country and its people. “The Ironworkers of America Build America.” His pride was greater that day because his son, Larry, was part of the topping-off ceremony. He also took pride in the fact that he was a 4th Degree Knight with the Knights of Columbus in Lewiston.

He especially enjoyed watching his grandchildren play on the playground he built for them in his front yard. He felt great pride that his two oldest granddaughters, Kerstin and Becca, were attending college. He laughed watching his grandsons, McKay and Cameron, race around the yard on four wheelers, and his youngest granddaughter, Brooke, held a special place in his heart!

He is survived by his wife, Dolores, of 45 years; two daughters, Suzanne McLean and her husband, James, of Birch Harbor, and Michelle Gaghan and her husband, Rusty, of Winthrop; two sons, Donald Grenier of Monmouth and Larry Grenier and his wife, Bobbie-Jo, of Monmouth; his grandchildren, Kerstin Grenier, of Monmouth, Rebecca McLean and Mckay McLean, of Birch Harbor, Bryan Gaghan, Cameron Gaghan and Brooklyn Gaghan, of Winthrop; eight brothers and sisters, Mugette Tibbetts and her husband, Donald, of Blue Hill, Madeline Ouellette and her husband, Robert, of Auburn, Pete Grenier and his wife, Dolly, of Lewiston, Eddie (Oiseau) Grenier and his wife, Connie, of Auburn, Jeannette Nolin of Auburn, Lorraine Cromer and her husband, Travis, of Mt Vernon, Ky., Virginia Brown of Middleburg Fla., Jackie Caron and her husband, Don, of Minot; he is also survived by one special uncle, Arthur Bellmore, of Auburn; and many nieces and nephews. He will be greatly missed by his constant companions, Brindle and Sarah. Messages of condolence may be sent to the family at: www.finleyfuneralhome.com.