1935 – 2015

AUBURN — Romeo L. Clavet, 80, of Lewiston, passed away peacefully on Thursday, Dec. 24. He spent his final days lovingly cared for by his daughter, Jackie, and the staff at the Hospice House in Auburn.

He was born in Skowhegan on Dec. 4, 1935, a son of the late Lucien and Stephanie (Bouchard) Clavet, and had been a lifelong resident of Lewiston.

He served in the United States Army in 1954 and received an honorable discharge in 1955. On May 21 of that same year he married his beautiful and loving bride, Yvette Marie Tardif, and the two started a family together.

He was the oldest of seven children and was called upon at a young age to help support his family. After finishing the fifth grade he began working with all of his uncles, roofing for Hahnel Brothers. He worked many odd jobs as a young boy, picking beans and working construction were just a few. In the mid-1950s he opened the first Shell Gas Station on Main Street. Then he opened his own tavern. He was known to play big brother and was there to defend his siblings if ever they were in need. In his adult life he became a foreman for Sableman Plastics and remained in the heel industry until his retirement. He always made sure his siblings had employment. At one time all of his siblings worked for him. It was not uncommon for him to work two jobs.

He walked to work most days, even during blizzards. This was ironic as there was no car he could not fix. This came in handy as he traded in used cars and could be found on Perley Street dropping in a new motor and doing many other repairs.

Romeo was a former member of the Elks Club and Eagles Club where he had many friends. His family would like to thank his special friends from the Elks and Eagles with a very special thanks to his friend Jane. Jane visited Romeo nightly to watch “Jeopardy” and “Wheel of Fortune.”

He was a very generous and kind man who would’ve done anything for anyone.

Romeo is survived by and was the proud father of his son, Romeo “Pete” Clavet and wife, Denise, of Lewiston, who has shown much love and care for him over the years; and his daughters, Jacqueline Stowe-Davis and husband, Glenn, of Sabattus, Joann Shaw and husband, Tony, of Williston, Vt., Sandra Volkernick and husband, Mike, of Cape Coral, Fla., and Mona Gladu and husband, Bob, of Leeds. He leaves behind grandchildren, Katrina, Matt and Ben Stowe and Katy and Emily Shaw; as well as his great-grandchildren, Marlee Stowe and Logan Therrien. He is also survived by his brothers, Normand (Pauline) Clavet of Lewiston, Paul Clavet of Arkansas, and Lucien (Connie) Clavet of Lewiston; along with many nieces and nephews.

He was predeceased by his beautiful wife, Yvette; sisters, Louise Woodard and Muriel Bouchard; a brother, Roland Clavet; and his granddaughter, Jessica Lynne Clavet.

Online condolences may be shared with the family at www.thefortingrouplewiston.com.