1925 – 2014

LEWISTON — Beloved husband, father and pépère, Alcide J. “Frenchy” Lemelin, 88, a longtime resident of Livermore, passed away Saturday, May 17, at Ouellette’s Home in Lewiston.

He was born July 22, 1925, in Sainte-Marguerite, Quebec, the son of Eugene and Palmyre (Mercier) Lemelin. He attended school in Canada.

He came to live and work in the states at the age of 17, where he met his future wife, Claudette Castonguay. They married on June 20, 1953 at St. Rose of Lima Church, and would have celebrated 61 years of marriage in June.

He was a communicant of St. Rose of Lima Church in Jay.

Frenchy had worked as a salesman for Montgomery Ward, a taxi driver, and had also worked for International Paper Company in Jay, before starting the career that he so enjoyed, as a car salesman for Al Winters New and Used Cars in Jay. He loved talking with people who came to the dealership. As some people have the same doctor for years, Frenchy was their only salesman!

After his retirement, he enjoyed going to town, visiting with his friends and taking his daily walk. He never stayed idle but, instead, worked in his garden, chopped wood for winter and could be found at his children’s homes “fixing things.” He was a devoted husband, father, and pépère, taking great pride in all of his grandchildren’s accomplishments. His greatest joy was spending time with his family. He looked forward to the holiday get-togethers and weekend BBQ’s, and his door was always open to all.

He is survived by his wife, Claudette Lemelin of Livermore; three daughters, Denise Deschenes and her husband, Dan, of Lewiston, Patricia “Patty” Sarrazin and her husband, Paul, of Lewiston, and Michelle Lemelin of Old Orchard; his son, Paul Lemelin and his wife, Karen, of Lewiston; nine grandchildren, Danielle Deschenes, David Deschenes, Darren Deschenes and his wife, Ashley, Dean Deschenes and his wife, Beth, Devin Deschenes, Amy (Sarrazin) Wedge and her husband, Ryan, Michael Sarrazin, Ryan Lemelin and Kyle Lemelin; five great-grandchildren, Luke Deschenes, Matthew Deschenes, Dominic Coffren, Oliver and Amelia Deschenes; siblings, Mèrrill Lemelin, Raymond Lemelin and his wife, Marquise, Robert Lemelin and his wife, Gisèle, Gisèle Bibeau and her husband, Ernest, Raymonde Lemelin, Adrien Lemelin, Denis Lemelin and his wife Gisèle.

He was predeceased by his brothers, Oscar, Oréna, Paul, Donald, Yvon and Clermont Lemelin, sisters, Claire-Hélène Lemelin and Liette Lemelin.

The family would like to express their sincere appreciation to the staff of Ouellette’s Home and Androscoggin Home Care and Hospice. Messages of condolence may be sent to www.finleyfuneralhome.com.