SOUTH PARIS — Wilfred L. “Duch” Duchette, 91, passed away Monday, April 22, at the Maine Veterans’ Home.

Duch was born in Mechanic Falls, June 17, 1921, son of Wilfred and Blanche (Davis) Duchette. He was educated in Mechanic Falls schools, graduating class of 1940.

He married his only true love, the former June Paine, June 4, 1942. They moved from Oxford to Norway where with help from their family they built their own home and resided there for 63 years until June’s passing in 2010.

Wilfred joined the Army on Oct. 5, 1942, and was honorably discharged on Jan. 25, 1945. He served as a military police officer during World War II in the African Campaign. He received the Eamet Ribbon with a bronze star and the good conduct medal.

He worked at Wilner Wood Products, for 18 years, Daniel’s & Damon Laundry Service and Norway Laundry for seven years, Twin Town Bowling Alley, Metropolitan Life Insurance as an Insurance agent for 15 years, where he earned several awards before retiring in 1984. At some point in his life, he was a car salesman for Bessey Motors and Harold’s Motors.

He was a member of St. Catherine of Sienna Church, where he served for many years as an usher. He was a member of the Norway American Legion Post 82 and was very proud to be a member of the group that met at Walmart for morning coffee to straighten out the world.

Duch will always be remembered for his love and dedication to his family, for his love of people and for his great sense of humor.

He is survived by his three children, Pamela Tikkanen and husband, Glenn of Norway, Cheryl Burnham and husband, Guy of Bethel and David Duchette and wife, Patricia, of Windham; grandchildren, Nisa Noble of South Paris, Eric Tikkanen and wife, Melissa, of Georgia, Krista Clay and husband, Gary, of Virginia, Alyssa Morrison and husband, Peter, of Oxford, Denise Eliot-Pruett and husband, Jonathan, of Waterford, John Eliot Jr. and wife, Tania, of Bethel, Dawn-Marie Eliot-Johnson and husband, Chris, of Bryant Pond, Katharine Duchette of Portland and Anna Duchette of Portland; great-grandchildren, Tiffany Noble and partner, Joel, of Norway, Travis Noble and wife, Wendy, of South Paris, DJ Noble of South Paris, Jordan, Morgan and Alexis Tikkanen of Georgia, Brieanna, Gary and Kobe

Clay of Virginia, Tres’ and Caleb Morrison of Oxford, Dustin Edwards and Jonny Pruett of Waterford, Joshua and Makenzie Eliot of Bethel; great-great-grandchildren, Wyatt and Isabelle Knightly of Norway, Abigail and Taylor Truman of Norway, Sophia Noble of South Paris; brothers, Carl and wife, Nancy, of Poland and Ramon and wife, Jackie, of Mechanic Falls; brother-in-law, William Scalon of New York, and Otisfield; and very special nieces and nephews.

He was predeceased by his parents; a twin brother; brothers, Pearl and Arthur; sisters, Helen Perry, Arlene Pryor, Pauline Wilson and Lena Scanlon; and great-granddaughter, Gabrielle Eliot.

We are deeply grateful to the staff of the Maine Veterans’ Home in South Paris for their loving and wonderful care given to Duch over the last two years and to Androscoggin Home Care & Hospice during his final days.

Online condolences may be expressed to the family at www.oxfordhillsfuneralservices.com.