1927 – 2016

AUBURN — Andre G. “Duke” Auger, 89, formerly of Third Street in New Auburn, died Monday morning, July 11, at Clover Manor.

He was born in Auburn on Feb. 7, 1927, one of nine children born to Arthur J. and Amanda (St. Pierre) Auger. Duke was educated in Auburn schools and remained a lifelong resident of this community.

He was a military veteran, having served his country in the U.S. Army during World War II. While in the Army, he was stationed in Italy and assigned to the 34th Division. Initially, he was an intelligence officer and later became a member of the field artillery. He was a sergeant until his honorable discharge.

On June 21, 1952, he married the former Therese Hamel who predeceased him on Feb. 17, 2015. Shortly after their marriage, they settled on Second Street then moved to Third Street in New Auburn to raise their family.

His first job, before his time in the service, was in the family store, known as Arthur J. Auger IGA, on Lincoln Street in Lewiston. For a short time after the war he returned to the store, then left that job and began a 30-year career working locally as a carpenter. He worked for several construction companies, learning and improving his carpentry skills with each job he worked on, eventually becoming a very good and very skilled finish carpenter. He then went to work for a time for E Systems, a company that built Earth satellite antennas. He helped build one in Andover and then spent time in Saudi Arabia constructing and programming one there.

Upon returning to Auburn, he continued construction work and soon after, was contacted by Mrs. Rydholm to build a new Pepsi bottling plant in Auburn. Upon completion of this project, he was hired full time by Seltzer & Rydholm as supervisor of maintenance for the Pepsi plants in Maine.

Over the next few years, he oversaw the expansion of the Portland plant and construction of a new plant in Augusta. Duke was a lifelong member of St. Louis Church and was a hunter, fisherman, golfer and an avid reader of books. He loved attending sporting events played by his children and his grandchildren. Most of all, he adored the very many special and fun gatherings and good times with his wife, family, children and grandchildren. For many years, there was an annual hunting trip with his sons and his brothers.

He was a loving, devoted and hardworking husband, father, grandfather, and great-grandfather. He was a true family man who will be dearly missed.

He leaves behind two daughters, Amanda Auger of Auburn and Marie Dittmer and husband, David, of Scarborough; four sons, Roger Auger of Old Orchard Beach, Maurice Auger and wife, Doreen, of Alfred, Lucien Auger and wife, Peggy, of Durham, N.C., and Roland Auger and wife, Joleen, of Waterboro; 11 grandchildren; eight great-grandchildren; daughter-in-law, Joyce Auger of Gorham; son-in-law, Calvin Gray of North Monmouth; two sisters, Anna Siteman of South Walpole, Mass., and Alice Jacques and husband, Jean, of Litchfield; and many nieces and nephews.

He was predeceased by his wife, Therese; an infant daughter, Annette; four sisters, Alma Boisvert, Aline Comeau, Antonia Nadeau and Alexina Theberge; two brothers Arthur and Alphonse; and his parents.

The family wishes to thank the physicians and staff of the Lamp Alzheimer’s Residential Care Facility in Lisbon and Clover Manor in Auburn for the care, compassion and support shown to Duke and his family.

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

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