1923 – 2014

RUMFORD — Edward A. “Diddie” Breau, 90, of Maple Street in Rumford, passed away on Monday, Feb. 3, at Rumford Hospital following a brief illness, surrounded by loving family and close friends.

He was born in Rumford on Aug. 20, 1923, a son of James and Helen (Cormier) Breau. Diddie attended Mexico schools. He served in the U.S. Navy during World War II, aboard the USS Bullard as a torpedoman’s mate 3rd class, from 1943 to 1946, in the Pacific theater. Diddie went to work at the Oxford Paper Mill after the war, retiring in 1985.

He was a communicant of St. John’s and was a member of the American Legion, the VFW, the Fraternal Order of Eagles and the Four Ponds Camp Owners Association.

Diddie was an avid outdoorsman who enjoyed skiing, ice fishing and snowmobiling, and he particularly enjoyed his camp at Four Ponds, where he hunted and fished with his camp buddies, Ronald Sirois and Phil Theriault. He also enjoyed tying his own flies.

Diddie and his wife also looked forward to their many trips to the casinos in Bangor and Oxford, and playing cribbage.

Surviving are his wife of 66 years, Barbara A. Breau, of Rumford; three children, David P. Breau and wife, Linda, of Augusta, Debra Maturi and husband, Chris, of Tallassee, Ala., and Sue Brunner and husband, Eric, of Marcy, N.Y.; a sister, Lily Gotto, of Mexico; a brother, Raymond Breau and wife, Priscilla, of Rumford; seven grandchildren, Daniel and wife, Annette, Jennifer, Heather and husband, Keith, Kristen, Shawn, Erika and Ashley; and several great-grandchildren.

He was predeceased by his parents; and four brothers, James, Rene, Omar and Lionel Breau.

You are invited to share your thoughts, condolences and fond memories with the Breau family by visiting their guest book at www.SGThibaultFuneralHome.com.