1928 – 2014

PERU — Ernest A. Robichaud, 85, of Auburn Road, Peru, passed away on Saturday, July 5, at the home of his companion, Barbara Morse, following a brief illness, surrounded by his family.

He was born in Rumford on Aug. 10, 1928, a son of Telesphore and Celestine (Richard) Robichaud. Ernie was educated in Rumford schools. At the age of 16, upon the death of his father at the age of 43, Ernie went to work in the paper mill to support his mother and five siblings. He worked there for 29 years.

After leaving the mill, Ernie worked full time in his real estate rental business and found time to drive the laundry van for his son’s laundry business, where he made many friends.

Ernie was a communicant of St. Theresa’s Catholic Church in Mexico for many years and currently of the Parish of the Holy Savior.

He was a proud citizen for many years and was very civic minded. Ernie served as a Mexico selectman, Planning Board member and was longtime chairman of the Water District, in which he was instrumental in upgrading the water system in Mexico. He served on the Androscoggin Valley Council of Government for many years. He was awarded a plaque for Volunteer of the Year in 2004 from the town of Mexico.

At the age of 85, he retired from the Mexico Water District and received a Legislative Sentiment from the state of Maine by Rep. Cheryl Briggs. Ernie was instrumental in starting the Maine Apartment Owners and Managers Association. He also started the Rumford and Mexico Landlord Association.

Ernie loved hunting and fishing, his camp at Garland Pond and family gatherings. In his later years, Ernie enjoyed going to his new camp at Breton Pond, where he rode on his party boat until the day he fell in the water trying to tie it down to the dock and never went in the boat again.

Two of Ernie’s favorite fishing trips were to the Allagash; the first with his family and the second with his good friend, Arthur Perry.

Ernie loved his time in Florida with his son, David, and his trips to Paris and Alaska with his son, Peter.

Surviving are his three sons, David Robichaud and wife, Carol, of Sebring, Fla., Peter Robichaud and wife, Becky, of Carthage and John Robichaud of Mexico; a sister, Annette Farrington and husband, Leroy, of Norway; brothers, Robert Robichaud and wife, Cora Jean, of Merritt Island, Fla., and Norman Robichaud and wife, Joan, of Mexico; a nephew, Jim Hagen and his daughter, Kelly Jo, and her husband, Carl, and their daughter, Isabel; grandchildren, Kevin Robichaud, Craig Robichaud, Dwinal Randall, Joshua Hayes and Megan Robichaud; and great-grandchildren, Kolby Robichaud, Kelcey Robichaud, Kearsten Robichaud, Brittany Robichaud and Danielle Robichaud.

He was predeceased by his parents; his wife, Edith Smith, in 2010; two sons, Paul A. Robichaud and Richard L. Robichaud; two sisters, Rita Holt and Claudette Floyd; brother-in-law, Donald Floyd; sister-in-law, Isabel Robichaud; a niece, Kathleen Hagan; and a nephew, Craig Floyd.

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