1927 – 2016

AUBURN — Lawrence Joseph “Pitou” Couillard, 88, of Campus Avenue, Lewiston, a former longtime resident of New Auburn, died Tuesday, Nov. 29, at the Hospice House of Androscoggin Home Care & Hospice.

He was born in East Millinocket on Dec. 19, 1927, a son of the late Armand and Zenaied (Dubois) Couillard. After schooling, he went on to proudly serve his country in the U.S. Army Air Force.

Pitou married the former Marie Lamarre on April 15, 1950, at St. Mary’s Church in Lewiston and together they settled in the Lewiston-Auburn area to raise their four children. Larry worked for many years as a carpenter and millwright with the Brotherhood of Carpentry and Millwrights Local 407. He was very involved with the Local 407 and attended all of their meetings, even after he retired. He also worked for Vincent Bottling for several years.

Larry was a very active member of St. Louis Church. He also was a longtime member of the Knights of Columbus Council 106 where he was a fourth-degree Knight. He was an amazing and devoted husband, dad, pepere and great-pepere, his greatest enjoyment was his family and he loved spending time with them, especially around the holidays. He also loved to decorate and took great pride in his ability to show up the neighborhood with his decorations. He always found the good in people and never talked bad about anyone; his warm heart will be missed by all.

He leaves his wife of 66 years, Marie of Lewiston; his four children, Mary Ann Couillard and significant other, Lenny Feinstein, of Lewiston, Dianne Collet and her husband, Richard, of Auburn, Joan Peach, and her husband, Walter, of Auburn, and Lawrence “Pete” Couillard and his fiancée, Rachel Goulet-Lebel, of Auburn; his three sisters, Omerine Desjardins and husband, Leo, of Auburn, Jean D’arc Lachance of California, and Jacqueline Fish of North Carolina; four brothers, Roger Couillard and wife, Evelyn, of Wales, Armand “Babe” Couillard and wife, Yvonne, of Lewiston, Eugene Couillard of Lewiston, and Norman Couillard and wife, Irene, of North Carolina; nine grandchildren, Michelle Emery, Raymond Collet, Renee Collet, Ann Marie Mello, Catinna Newhouse, Lucy Kochis, Joshua Jarvis, Brittany Couillard and Zachary Couillard; and many great-grandchildren, including most recently twins born on Veterans Day, Daniel and Joseph.

He was predeceased by a brother, Roland Couillard; and two sisters, Theresa Boussiere and Millie Asselin.

The family would like to send a very special thank-you to the nurses at Androscoggin Home Care & Hospice and at Marshwood for the exceptional care they gave to Larry in his last days.

You are invited to offer condolences and pay tribute to Lawrence’s life by visiting his guest book at www.thefortingroupauburn.com.