1930 – 2014

LEWISTON — Joseph A. Despres, 83, formerly of Turner, died Saturday, June 7, at Montello Manor, where he had resided for several years.

He was born in Jaffrey, N.H., on July 19, 1930, a son of Alfred and Bernadette (Ouelett) Despres. Joe, as he was commonly known, worked his way through the University of New Hampshire, playing trumpet in a jazz band and graduating with a degree in agriculture. He married Rita Talon in 1952. In 1956, he started working at Brigeen Farms in Turner as a dairy herdsman — a job he loved, and he retired from there at the age of 75.

His past hobbies included fishing and playing the trumpet, banjo and guitar. He enjoyed fixing anything from a leaky faucet to a car engine. He was a gentle man who made a quiet impact on others. He loved singing to the nurses at Montello.

Joe was a loving husband, father and grandfather. He is survived by his wife, Rita; children, Joseph and his significant other, Jan McDonough, of Portland, Kathleen Gaydar and husband, Kevin, of Deerfield, Ill., Julie of Auburn, Patricia Prout and husband, Si, of Lewiston, Peter and wife, Carrie, of Turner, Lisa of South Portland and Kathleen Morin, former daughter-in-law, of Auburn, who remains a good friend to the family; and grandsons, Matthew and Brian Despres of Portland. Joe has seven siblings, Alfred and his wife, Marian, of New Hampshire, Charles of Florida, Robert of Vermont, David and his wife, Vi, of New Hampshire, Elizabeth Twitchell and her husband, Terry, of Turner, Pamela Parrish of New Hampshire and Marguerite and Nick Paige of Vermont.

You are invited to share your condolences with the family by visiting their guest book at www.thefortingroupauburn.com.