Leo Paul Simoneau
AUBURN – Leo Paul Simoneau, 97, a resident of Livermore Falls, passed away Tuesday, Sept. 7, 2021, at Androscoggin Hospice House in Auburn.
He was born April 3, 1924, in Chisholm, the son of Donat and Lea (Therrien) Simoneau. Paul attended St. Rose School and Livermore Falls Schools. He graduated from Livermore Falls High School, after he returned from WWII.
At the age of 17, Paul was selected for the draft in 1942. Paul served on the USS Escalante, a refueling oil-tanker. After his U.S. Naval training, he was sent to the North Atlantic. He made several trips back and forth, delivering fuel, planes, jeeps, and just about anything you can think of. He was involved in the invasion of Normandy, France. When the peace treaty was signed in Europe in 1945, the USS Escalante joined the 3rd Fleet in the Pacific Ocean. They passed through the Panama Canal and made stops in San Diego and Pearl Harbor to pick up supplies. Paul fought in the invasion of Luzon in the Philippines, the battle of Iwo Jima in the Volcano Islands, and Okinawa, Japan, with the 3rd Fleet. At the signing of the peace treaty in 1945 with Japan, the USS Escalante was positioned next to the USS Missouri in Tokyo Bay. Paul and his crewmates were able to watch the ceremonies and the signing of the peace treaty.
When Paul was young, he worked at First National Store delivering groceries and picked beans on the River Road during the season. When he returned from the war, he worked for six years at the Otis Mill in the Beater Room. He then went to Toledo, Ohio and attended Toledo Meat Cutters School. After school he worked at Bonneau Brothers in Lewiston and then at Bill and Sim’s Market for his brother, Gerard, and brother-in-law, Bill. Paul was known in town as one of the best meat cutters. He worked in the market for 22 years, and then worked at IP for 10 years. Later he worked at the Bank Building in Livermore Falls and as a custodian for Livermore Falls Schools. At the age of 73, Paul retired.
Paul was a lifetime member of the VFW Post #3335. Paul enjoyed taking trips to the coast, especially Boothbay Harbor, going for walks and being in the fresh air, and traveling on bus trips, Canada was one of his favorite trips. He loved to spend as much time with his family as he could, and he cherished every moment with them.
Paul is survived by his wife of 66 years, Jeannine (Desjardins) Simoneau of Livermore Falls; a daughter, Jan Gill and her husband Tom of Livermorel three grandchildren, Jake Sturtevant and his wife M.J. of Auburn, Luke Sturtavent and his wife Sarah of Fayette, and Leah Bickford and her husband Jeff of Dresden; 11 great-grandchildren, Drake, Lizzy, Jayden, Alana, Adrianna, Jeremiah, Emily, Lilah, Bella, Simon, and Sierra; and two sisters, Reinette Richards of Livermore, and Marlene Boivin of Jay.
He was predeceased by his parents; four brothers, Raymond, Bert, Gerard, and Larry Simoneau, and two sisters, Blanche Rogers, and Pauline Brougham.
Messages of condolence may be sent to: http://www.finleyfuneralhome.com
A Mass of Christian Burial with full military honors will be held 11 a.m., on Wednesday, Sept. 15 at St. Rose of Lima Parish, 1 Church St., Jay. Arrangements by FINLEY FUNERAL HOME, 15 Church St., Livermore Falls. Interment will be held at Holy Cross Cemetery, 445 Park St., Livermore Falls.