CANTON — Alfred “Fred” J. Legere Sr., 99, also known as “Harmonica Man” and “Dancing doll man,” a former resident of Jay, died Wednesday, Dec. 8, surrounded by his family at Victorian Villa Nursing Home.

He was born July 3, 1911, in Leger Brook, New Brunswick, Canada, the son of Mathias and Madeleine (Gallant) Legere. When he was 12 years old his family moved from Canada to Riley, where Fred attended school in a two-room schoolhouse. When he was 18, he went to work for IP at the Livermore Falls and Riley mills working in the Groundwood Department; Fred transferred to the Androscoggin Mill in Jay and worked as a mechanic and pipefitter until his retirement in 1975.

On Oct. 20, 1940 at St. Rose of Lima Church, he married his wife of 60 years, Anita M. Richard. She passed away Jan. 31, 2001. He was a communicant of St. Mary’s Church in Riley and St. Rose of Lima Church in Jay; a member of the Knights of Columbus in Jay; and also a member of the International Paper Quarter Century Club.

Prior to moving to Maine, Fred and his buddies in New Brunswick learned to play harmonica after noticing a woman that would go from farm to farm and play. Playing the harmonica has been a part of his life since he lived in New Brunswick, years later he added dancing dolls that he made himself that he would make dance to the tunes of the harmonica.

He played for 28 years at the Norlands in Livermore; he also played at the VFW in Jay. He enjoyed walking, bowling and ice skating, skating for the last time in 1998. He was a wonderful, loving and devoted husband, father, and grandfather and will be greatly missed by his family and those that knew him.

He is survived by two daughters, Marguerite “Peggy” Tibbetts McDonald and her husband, Earl, of Jay and Rose Marie Labbe of South Portland; his son, Alfred J. Legere Jr. and his wife, Donna, of Statesville, N.C.; 19 grandchildren; 22 great-grandchildren; and many great-great-grandchildren.

He was predeceased by his daughter, Helen McDonald.

Messages of condolence may be sent to www.finleyfuneralhome.com.