AUBURN — Donald A. Bissonnette, 77, died with grace and dignity on April 8, after a courageous battle with cancer.

He was born Dec. 12, 1934, in Lewiston, the son of the late Wilfrid and Marie Anne Duclos Bissonnette, and graduated from Lewiston High School in 1952. Don then served in the U.S.Army before attending Bentley College, from which he graduated in 1958 with a degree in accounting.

After a short time out of state, he returned to the home in which he was born. He married his lifelong partner, Marthe, in 1969, and with her raised their four children. His home was always open to the extended Bissonnette family, and he was grateful that he was able to live there through the end of his life.

Donald opened his own accounting office Dec. 1, 1973, and tirelessly served his clients until shortly before his diagnosis in July 2011. Some of his original clients stayed with him throughout his 40 years in practice and formed some of his strongest friendships. He truly loved his work and took great pride in helping his many clients.

During his distinguished career, he served as longtime chairman of Maine’s Gear-Up Tax Seminar, was a former president and lifetime member of the Maine Association of Professional Accountants, and served terms on the Lewiston Planning Board and the Maine Family Parish Council. He also served on the boards of d’Youville Pavilion and St. Peter’s Cemetery, and on the Maine Family Federal Credit Union Supervisory Committee.

He is survived by his wife of 42 years, Marthe (Chouinard); four children, David and his wife, Jennifer, of Las Vegas, Nev., Jeffrey and his wife, Shannon, of Mechanic Falls, Anne Pelkey and her husband, Joseph, of New Gloucester, and Nicole of Portland; five grandchildren, Connor, Emma and Dillon Bissonnette, and Daniel and Sarah Pelkey; his brother, Normand and his wife, Yolande; and many nieces and nephews.

He was predeceased by his parents, Wilfrid and Marie Anne (Duclos); siblings, Roger, Laurent, Therese Losito, Florence, Yolande, Dorothy LaFontaine, Lauriane, and Stella; and Lucien Fournier, who lived with the family like a brother.

Online condolences and sharing of memories may be expressed at www.lynchbrothers.com.