NORWAY — Leo R. Gaudette, 82, of 26 Eighth St., Auburn, passed away on Monday, Oct. 4, at Stephens Memorial Hospital, with family at his side.

He was born in Lewiston, Oct. 1, 1928, a son of Emile and Blanche (Labbe) Gaudette. He was educated in local schools and remained a lifelong resident of this community.

On Oct. 10, 1953, Leo married the former Rosalie Raymond of Chisholm and together they settled in Auburn to raise their family. Leo and Rosalie raised nine successful children. Mr. Gaudette was a military veteran, having served his country in the U.S. Army during World War II, until his honorable discharge in April 1947.

Leo was employed by L & A Grocers in Lewiston, starting as a stock boy and working his way up to grocery wholesale buyer. He worked there for 37 years until they closed. During those years, he developed many good friendships at the various local stores they served, which continued on for many years. For a short time after that, he worked in the same profession in Portland until his retirement shortly thereafter. During his working years, he also worked other jobs outside of his career to provide for his family, and over the age of 50 went back to school and got his GED.

When not working, Leo loved to visit family, enjoy many family meals, watch baseball, travel, or simply go for trips in the car. He was an extremely avid New York Yankees fan, enjoyed fishing and hunting and was a member of the Auburn Catholic Community at St. Louis Church and the Knights of Columbus Council No. 106 in Lewiston. Leo also enjoyed tending to his vegetable garden. He was a loving, devoted and hard-working husband, father and grandfather, who will be dearly missed.

He leaves his wife, Rosalie Gaudette of Auburn; his children, Rene Gaudette and wife, Lee, of Turner, Dennis Gaudette of Lisbon, Anita Workman and husband, David, of New Bern, N.C., Mona Tripp and husband, Charles, of Sumner, Paul Gaudette and wife, Lisa, of Lewiston, Robert Gaudette and wife, Rebecca, of Lewiston, Michelle McLellan and husband, Martin, of Lewiston, Claudia Lessard and husband, Stephen, of Greene and John Gaudette and wife, Genie, of San Diego, Calif.; his grandchildren, Stephanie, Stephen, Charles, Leo, Katie, Amanda, Jason, P.J., Patric, Brittany, Chris, Caleb, Nicholas, Terrance, Andrew, Rocky, Abigail, Matthew, Megan, Maya and Adam; his great-grandchildren, Ethan, Skylar and Bella; a sister-in-law, Rose Gaudette of Lewiston; and many nieces and nephews.

He was predeceased by five sisters, Bertha, Evelyn, Lauretta , Georgette and Simone; and three brothers, Emile, Roland and Roger.

The family would like to thank Dr. James E. Eshleman, D.O., of Oxford Hills Family Practice and the hospital staff and nurses at Stephens Memorial Hospital, who were just a wonderful and very caring team of individuals, and the entire staff at the Veterans’ Home in South Paris, where Leo had resided for the past five years, for the outstanding care and support he received there.

You are invited to share your thoughts, condolences and fond memories with Leo’s family by visiting their guestbook at www.thefortingroupauburn.com.