1931 – 2014

BRIDGTON — Joseph “Buddy” Provost, 83, of Bridgton, died unexpectedly on Friday, Sept. 12, at his residence in Bridgton.

He was born on Aug. 27, 1931, in Meriden, Conn., a son of Philip Provost of Skowhegan and Elizabeth (White) Provost of Moncton, New Brunswick, Canada. In his early years, he attended Skowhegan schools and later moved to the North End of Boston, Mass., where he worked as an assistant to a local landscaper.

A veteran of the U.S. Army, he enlisted on Oct. 14, 1948, serving during the Korean Conflict in Germany and was honorably discharged on June 16, 1952, with a Good Conduct Medal.

Upon his return from the service, Buddy moved to the Everett/Malden area of Massachusetts and later the Peabody, Mass., area. He worked at various shoe-related manufacturing facilities, including Duchess Shoe Manufacturing in Salem, Lawrence Leather Manufacturing and Barry Shoe Manufacturing in Lynn, Mass. He retired after 43 years in the industry, moving to Bridgton in May 2002, to be closer to his granddaughter, daughter and son-in-law.

Buddy received a Certificate of Nomination for honorable service in the U.S. Armed Forces and for outstanding service and loyalty to the U.S. for membership in the American Legion. He was an avid supporting member of the Paralyzed Veterans of America.

He enjoyed ice skating, bowling, building model airplanes and constantly tinkering with electronic devices.

Buddy’s surviving family includes his granddaughter, Felicia B. McDonald, of Taos, N.M.; his daughter, Lindamarie M. McDonald, of Santa Fe, N.M.; his son-in-law, Keith McDonald, of Bridgton, whom he was very fond of as a son; his uncle, Arthur Provost, born in June 1914, who resides in Skowhegan; a sister, Elizabeth “Betty” Hunt, of Norwich, Conn.; a brother, Anthony “Tony” Provost, of Bath; and a brother, David Provost and sister-in-law, Barbara, both of Skowhegan. He was the grandfather to three grandsons, all of Everett, Mass. He was also known as “Uncle Buddy” to many, many of his nieces and nephews, and his four godchildren who reside in Connecticut, Massachusetts, Maine, North Carolina and Florida, whom he loved very, very much, with fond memories at his home by the poolside for family gatherings in Peabody, Mass.

He was predeceased by his only son, Dennis Provost, of Everett, Mass.; and three siblings, Frieda (Provost) Everett of Norridgewock, Philip Provost of Moosup, Conn., and Lyndall Provost of Southington/New Britain, Conn.

Online condolences may be expressed at www.chandlerfunerals.com.