1922 – 2015

FREEPORT —  On Sunday, June 7, Bunny left us to be in the comfort of his lord.

He was born in Lewiston on Feb. 27, 1922, to Yvonne and Adelard Gousse.

Bunny loved the Boston Red Sox, the Celtics and the New England Patriots. He even went to Fenway Park on his honeymoon! Just a few years before his passing, he went to Fenway for the last time on Father’s Day. He loved to go fishing, even though he would not eat anything from the water except lobster and shrimp. His other sport love was golf. He was over the age of 70 when he shot a hole in one.

Bunny lived the simple life. He never had a bad word about anyone, kind and gentle. He was a true dad who always showed love and compassion and would put other people’s needs before his own.

He was a lifelong member of the Danville Grange, a member of the AMVETS in New Gloucester and the Danville Fire Dept. He graduated from Edward Little High School with the Class of 1940.

At the onset of World War II, Bunny enlisted into the Army. His basic training was at Windsor Locks, Conn., where he qualified on the 50 caliber machine guns. After basic, he was sent to England where he became a cook for his engineering squad. It was while he was in England that he was able to find his brother, Roland, who was also in the Army. As time went on Bunny’s outfit advanced to France and Germany. As the war ended, Bunny once said, “One of my fondest memories was seeing the Statue of Liberty upon arriving in New York Harbor.”

After the war, he and Shirley settled in Auburn and later in Danville Junction where their three children were raised.

Bunny worked over 30 years for Lewiston Welding Company as a delivery driver and stock person.

He leaves his wife, Shirley, of Freeport, after 67 years of marriage; as well as his three daughters, Pat Sloat and husband, Bryan, Michelle Manter and husband, Kevin, and Cindi LaHaye and Mike Yates; grandchildren, Corey Sloat and wife, Kelly, Jody Bennett, Josh Manter and Allison LaHaye; great-grandchildren, Kelsey Bennett, Reid Bennett and Jaelen Hersey.

He is predeceased by his brother, Roland Gousse; and his sister, Florence Webber.

The family would like to express their heartfelt thanks to the wonderful staff at Freeport Place Assisted Living Center for their kindness and professionalism while Bunny was under their care.