AUBURN – Thomas Gideon Verreault Sr., 78, peacefully returned to his heavenly home on Friday, Feb. 4, 2021, at the Togus veteran’s hospital in Augusta after a valiant battle with cancer. His dedication to his family and his firm belief in God supported his struggle and ultimately gave him peace.Thomas was born in Lewiston on April 29, 1942, to Joseph Wilfrid Verreault and Esther (Ayotte) Verreault. After graduating from Bristol Eastern High School in Bristol, Conn., in 1960 he was drafted into the United States Air Force (USAF) where he proudly served as a medic. After attending the Electronic Computer Programming Institute, he became head programmer at Computer Processing Corp. before marrying his love, Constance “Connie” Bassett. He later volunteered to return to the USAF where he was trained on inertial radar. He served in Thailand working on Boeing B52 and KC-135 aircraft. When he returned to the states he was stationed in North Dakota, Florida, Alaska, and then spent over nine years at Plattsburgh AFB in New York. He also served a year in Korea where he supervised work on F-4 and A-10 aircraft. He then served the next four years stationed in Suffolk, England, at a Royal Air Force station where he made rank as an E8, senior master sergeant, (only two-percent hold this rank). He participated on numerous bombing missions over North Vietnam, the Iranian Hostage Rescue Mission, and the mission to bomb Libya after the Lockerbie, Scotland incident. He was planning on retiring as he was about to make E9, chief master sergeant when he was first diagnosed with cancer. He went on to retire and survive many cancers over the next 30-plus years. Through it all he was a model patient, winning many battles, always maintaining a positive outlook about life.Thomas and his wife, Connie, had three children: Thomas Jr., Jennifer, and Timothy. He was a hard-working father who loved his children and family unconditionally and expected respect for all. After he retired, Thomas attended a local university to earn his second degree, a Bachelor of Art in Fine Arts. He earned his first degree while serving in England, a Master of Science in Engineering. He was very talented in oil painting and sold and gifted many paintings over his lifetime. Thomas expanded the family homestead in Auburn, building a three-bedroom, two-story addition himself. Thomas was a devout Catholic and a longtime member of St. Philip’s Catholic Church in Auburn. He enjoyed trips to the local casino, bird-watching, and keeping up with politics. He was passionate about history and especially loved watching the television series The Curse of Oak Island, a documentary on hidden treasure. He was attentive to his dogs, Curly, Buddy, Peanut, and Tucker who he lovingly called “Bozo”. Thomas had an especially close relationship with his sister-in-law, Jean Rouillard and her husband Richard from Auburn. They played dominoes and cribbage regularly and he was excited to have beat them during their last meet just days ago. Thomas was a generous and compassionate man and could often be heard ending conversations with strangers, friends, and family by saying “Take care!”. He will be sorely missed by anyone who knew him.Thomas is survived by his children and grandchildren, son, Thomas Verreault Jr. and his wife Tammy of Auburn and their children, Rachel and Rabecca Verreault of Boston and Zachary Fisher of Amherst, Mass., Sabrina and Gabriella Fisher of Auburn; his son, Tim Verreault and wife Jessica of Fort Greely, Alaska and their children Timothy, Helena, and tenth grandchild due in July; and his daughter, Jennifer Verreault and her children, Samantha and Sarah Leeman of Auburn. He is also survived by three sisters-in-law, Cathryn Roy, Lori Verreault, and Jean Rouillard; and many beloved nieces and nephews.Thomas was predeceased by his wife, Connie; and brothers, Louie and Raymond and sisters, Gertrude Hubeny and Elizabeth “Betty” Rustic.Thomas’ life will be honored and celebrated in the spring.

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