LEWISTON — Bertrand E. Lafrance died on April 4, at home after a long battle of heart disease.

He was born April 20, 1926, son of Edmund and Maria Beaulieu Lafrance in Lewiston. Educated in local schools, he was employed at Bath Iron Works. He srved in the Army in World War II, in the Fifth Infantry Division with Patton Third Army. He was wounded in Germany in March 1945, and received the Combat Infantry Badge the Bronze Star, the Purple Heart, Good Conduct Medal, American Campaign, European-African-Middle Eastern Campaign Medal, WW II Victory Medal, Army of Occupation Medal, the Maine Honorable Service Medal.

On his return, he worked at various jobs and various wholesale fruit and produce companies. In 1972, he started his own company, Twin City Fruit and Produce Inc. until 1982. He sold the business to Jordan’s Foods of Portland and served as vice president of Jordan’s produce division, retiring in 1985.

He was a life member of the Military Order of the Purple Heart, Thomas J. Fields Chapter 2699 and served two terms as Department Commander of Maine 1998 to 1999 and 2002 to 2003; also life member disabled veterans Chapter 11 of Lewiston, life member Veterans of Foreign wars Post 9459 of Lisbon, member of Combat Infantrymen’s Association of New England, member AmVets of Post 6 of New Gloucester, and past member of American Legion Post 22 of Lewiston.

He also served on many committees with Military Order of the Purple Heart, Veteran’s Cemetery Association in Augusta, Maine Veteran Coordinating Committee, Veterans’ Home Advisory Committee of South Paris and did Advisory for many Veterans in receiving their medals and benefits from the VA in Togus.

He is survived by a son, Roland and his wife, Theresa, of Augusta; a daughter, Anita Maheux and husband, Henry, of Lewiston; four grandchildren, Steven Lafrance and Scott Maheux, both of Lewiston, Tina Finch of Connecticut, and Shelly Maheux of Gardiner; six great-grandchildren, Amanda Lafrance, Colby Maheux and Kristina Lafrance, all of Lewiston, Maranda Finch, Janae Rainey of Connecticut, and Riann LeBlond of Gardiner; one great-great-granddaughter, Ostara Lafrance; and one brother, Leonard, “Lenny” of Florida.

He was predeceased by three brothers, Roger, Richard (Dick) and Rosaire (Ross); two sisters, Theresa “Terry” Poulin and Gilberte “Gibbi” Bourgion.

The family wishes to express a special thank-you to Dr. John Weiss for the care he has given for the past 25 years.

A very special thanks to Androscoggin Home Care and Hospice for their excellent care.

A special thanks to Rene and Pauline Morin and family for everything they have done including home care in the last weeks.

Online condolences & Photo Gallery may be shared at www.thefortingrouplewiston.com.