1927 – 2016

LEWISTON  — Norman Godin, 89 of Lewiston died Wednesday, Dec. 28, peacefully surrounded by his family at Central Maine Medical Center after a brief illness.

He was born in Ft. Kent on Aug. 20, 1927, the son of Louis Godin and Delia Long Godin.

He joined his brothers in the service after not seeing them for 5 years.

When he returned from the military, he lived in Lewiston and worked for the shipyard in Portland.

In 1947, he moved back to Ft. Kent where he met the love of his life, Rose Paradis. They married in 1948 and he owned and operated a junk yard and at the same time worked for Slim Worman delivering fuel to the logging camps in the Allagash up in Northern Maine.

In his late 20s, he had to have a kidney removed in Tougus. He couldn’t stand to be gone from his wife and kids, so he walked out of the hospital two days after surgery and started to hitchhike home only to collapse before being picked up and taken back to the hospital.

In 1962, he relocated his family to Thompsonville, Conn., where he started working for Phfaner Bearing in Hartford, Conn. In 1967, he purchased the Sunoco Gas Station on Hazard Avenue in Hazardville, Conn. He continued to work both jobs until he was sure it would be successful. He became known as a gifted mechanic and his sons and several grandchildren followed in his footsteps. He was a member of the Moose Lodge in Enfield, Conn.

In 1972, he relocated his family to Auburn, where he sold and repaired cars. In 1980, he relocated to Greene and started Godin’s Auto Sales and loved working alongside his son’s. His oldest son, Dale, took over the business in 1991 and he continued working part time with him well into his 80s.

He loved driving, playing cards, country music, hunting, fishing, shopping, sugar and lollipops and whatever you did, you didn’t want to mention sports! He hated sports!! He was a member of The Eagles in Lewiston. He loved life and was always ready to go anywhere!

His greatest pleasure was his wife, children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren.

He is survived by the love of his life, Rose Paradis Godin; his son, Dale and wife, Sue Godin, of Auburn, Larry and his wife, May Godin of Monmouth, Gary and his wife, Karen Godin of Denver, N.C.; his daughter, Diane and her husband, Henry Letalien of Rochester, N.H.; son, Donald and his significant other, Barbara Villani, of Leeds; daughter, Brenda Bowie of Auburn; daughter, Bonnie and husband, Jimmy Gauthier of Poland; and his sister, Doris Godin Savage of New Britain, Conn. His first born granddaughter, Lisa Godin, of Sabattus was a constant support of her grandparents and considered more of a daughter/sister than a granddaughter/niece.

He also leaves behind 17 grandchildren, 17 great-grandchildren and two great-great-grandchildren.

He is predeceased by his parents, Louis and Delia; his brothers, Gilbert, Thomas and Leon; his sisters, Anita, Lillian, Mary and Germaine; two daughters, Judy Godin Vandini and Sandra Godin Falk; and one son, William Joseph Godin.

He was the greatest husband, dad, pepere and friend. He will be greatly missed by everyone that knew him. He was quite a man and has left a great legacy.

Condolences may be expressed at www.funeralalternatives.net.