1936 – 2013

AUBURN — Thomas J. Anthoine Jr., 77, of Lewiston, died Sunday, Dec. 1, at the Hospice House of Androscoggin Home Care and Hospice Services, following a long battle with Myelodysplastic Syndrome (MDS). He was a caring and loving person, who touched so many lives in so many ways. He embraced life with purpose and enthusiasm, even during the toughest months of his illness.

Born in Lewiston on Sept. 5, 1936, he was the son of Thomas J. Anthoine Sr. and Margaret T. Anthoine (Mynahan). He grew up in Lewiston and attended St. Patrick’s Parochial School, and graduated in 1954 from Lewiston High School. While in high school, he was class president and played both football and baseball for the Blue Devils. He played summer baseball with the Auburn Aces. He attended Boston College. He later joined the U.S. Army, stationed at Fort Dix and then at Fort Lee in Richmond, Va.

He was married to the love of his life, Barbara A. Anthoine (Rapose), on Nov. 11, 1957; they recently celebrated their 56th wedding anniversary together. In 1959, he returned to Lewiston and joined his father at Thomas J. Anthoine Co., where he worked for more than 50 years, until his retirement.

Involvement in the community was important to him. He was one of the founders of the Football League for Youth (FLY) program. He was a member of St. Patrick’s Church Parish Council and served as its president during his tenure on the council. He served on the Lewiston school board and was chairman in 1986. He also served on the building committee for the Catherine Drexel Church in Harpswell and was a member of Prince of Peace Parish.

He was a high school football official for several years. Always game for a challenge, he enjoyed a brief stint as a stock car racer at Oxford Plains Speedway. He was a proud member of the Auburn Coffee Club, where friends met once a year to reconnect and discuss local, state and world issues. He loved the family cottage at Orr’s Island, and spent many enjoyable and memorable summers there. One of his favorite sayings was, “being on the ocean was nature’s Valium.”

Thomas loved to boat and had several boats through the years. He was especially fond of many “bird and squirrel friends” as well, and often had a specific name for each of them. Every year, at both his house and his cottage, he seemed to find new animals in nature to befriend.

He and Barbara loved to travel together. They spent several winter months in Florida through the years and traveled the country during a nine-year period in their motor home. He made new friends at every stop, in every state. They had an incredible and memorable trip to Europe as well.

Some of his greatest enjoyments and proudest times in life were watching and following his grandchildren’s sporting events, whether it be when they were youth, high school or collegiate players. Known to his grandchildren as “Bumper,” he was also called “Bumper” by many of his grandchildren’s teammates and even some of their coaches along the way.

Thomas was well-known to have entertained many family and friends at almost any type of gathering, with his true gift for jokes and storytelling. His life was full of friendships as he endeared himself to people so easily. He was an incredible son, husband, father, grandfather and friend, and will be missed dearly by all whose lives he touched.

He is survived by his loving wife of 56 years, Barbara; his five children, Thomas III and his wife, Janice, of Lewiston, Michael and his wife, Suzanne, of Andover, Mass., Mark and his wife, Deb, of Lewiston, Barbara “Muffin” (Barry) and her husband, Matt, of Topsfield, Mass., and Scott and his wife, Gabby, of Waltham, Mass.; 12 grandchildren, Thomas IV “TJ,” Meghan, Caitlin, Meredith, Mark Jr., Connor, Katherine, Kellen, Jack, Erin, Patrick and Brennan; and one great-grandchild, Thomas V “Tommy;” two sisters, Maureen Anthoine of Harpswell and Mary Margaret Anthoine Ney of Kennebunk; along with several uncles, aunts, cousins and close friends.

He was predeceased by his parents; and his niece, Julia Harrison.

The family would like to extend their heartfelt thanks to all who cared for him during his many stays and visits at St. Mary’s Regional Medical Center, and would like to extend a special thanks to Dr. Mahesh Pandey and his team for their extraordinary care and their personal touch.