LEWISTON — Victor J. Ritchie “Papa,” 67, of Auburn, passed away peacefully on Sept. 14, at Central Maine Medical Center, with his wife by his side.

He was born March 14, 1943, in St. Albans, the son of Fern and Charles Ritchie. He attended Higgins Classical Institute and Lee Academy. On June 8, 1968, he married the former Carolyn Richards and together they raised three children.

For many years, he worked as an electrician. Among his many interests, he enjoyed going camping, Boston Bruins, Boston Red Sox and NASCAR racing, going to a few race tracks with his close friend, Gard Leavitt.

He had a real love for playing horseshoes with his sons, Marc and Jamie. He was a deer hunter and loved going ice fishing when he could feed the stove to 100 degrees in the ice shack. He also had a real love for food, especially the Zuppa Toscana his daughter, Vicki, makes.

Vic is survived by his wife of 42 years, Carolyn; his daughter, Vicki Ouellette and husband, Ed, of West Gardiner; sons, Marc and companion, Denise, of Lewiston and Jamie and wife, Valerie, of Auburn; grandchildren, Brock Jellison, Tayla McGarey, Vada Ritchie and Branden and Austen Ritchie; sisters, Barbara Hatfield and Doris Franklin; brothers, Carroll and Richard; many nieces, nephews and cousins; and a special aunt, Pauline Connors of Bangor.

He was predeceased by his parents; brothers, Charles and Floyd; and sister, Violet Ward.