Alphée Leon Grenier
LEWISTON – Alphée Leon Grenier was born on Dec. 5, 1931 to Alphée Joseph and Clarisse (Pomerleau) Grenier and passed Dec. 12, 2021 at the age of 90. He passed away at the Woodlands Memory Care Center in Lewiston.
He played football for Lewiston High School and was proud of the 22-0 winning streak back in 1950. Prior to his illness he revisited the school and donated the banner that was created for the championship. He was also a track star and shared many sports memories.
In the mid to late ’40s he worked with his father in the woods as a lumberjack. While in high school he met the love of his life (Janine Cailler) when she asked him to a Sadie Hawkins dance on Oct 9, 1949. The two were inseparable from that day forward.
He began working for Cailler’s Market on Lisbon Street in Lewiston delivering groceries and was then drafted in 1952 during the Korean Conflict into the Army where he was stationed in St Johann im Pongau Austria to play football. He made very close friends with several of the players to which they kept in contact after serving our country. Dad was a proud Veteran and donated often to the Veterans Association.
When returning to the states he married Janine Cailler on Nov. 25, 1954. He began working for the United States Postal Service in 1959 as a city letter carrier serving the same route for 32 years until his retirement. A few months after retirement Mom told him he needed to get a part-time job (with laughter). He worked as a bank courier and car courier for several years until mom’s illness in April 2003 when he quit his job and stood by her side caring for her at home until her death on July 25, 2003.
He was very proud of all his kids who followed in his footsteps and are all employed with the USPS. Dad was a selfless man with a rough and tough exterior but truly a kind, gentle soul and would help anyone in need, even a total stranger.
He was a stern, strong, determined, and honest man who instilled all those qualities into his children. He coached fly football, baseball, and softball. ‘Watch the tread of the ball’ could often be heard when someone was up to bat. Everyone that encountered him, adored him.
Alphée was a member of the Knights of Columbus Council 106 and American Legion Post 153.
He was predeceased by his parents; his wife, Janine; his sister and brother-in-law, Yvette (Grenier) and Richard St. Laurent, brother-in-law Paul Bergeron, brother-in-law Robert and his wife Carmen Cailler, and sister-in-law Dorothy Cailler.
He is survived by his children Richard Grenier and wife Monique, Michelle Maybury and partner Dave White, and Maria LaBonte and partner Denis Dubois; his grandchildren, who he was so incredibly proud of, Kathleen Grenier, Amanda Grenier, Cory Maybury, and Kendra LaBonte. Also his sister-in-law, Dolores “Dodo” Bergeron, brother-in-law Ronaldo “Pat” Cailler; and several nieces and nephews.
The family would like to extend our sincere gratitude to the Woodlands Memory Care facility and to Androscoggin Home Health and Hospice for the care provided to our wonderful father.
We know you are home now and free of this horrible dementia disease. That was evident at the moment you passed, and the sun’s rays beamed on your face. We were all there helping in your transition to the afterlife.
Dad, we love you so much and will miss you, but we know you are with mom now back at the Sadie Hawkins dance. Thank you for creating this beautiful family.
A service will be held on Feb. 23, 2022, which is Mom’s birthday. Details to be announced. Memories may be shared at http://www.albert-burpee.com.
Donations may be made to the charity of your choice.