Robert and Lorraine Ducharme celebrate 72nd anniversary

Robert and Lorraine Ducharme. Submitted photo

Robert and Lorraine Ducharme of Lewiston recently gathered with their family and celebrated 72 years of marriage.

The couple started their life together on Feb. 3, 1951. Over the last 72 years, the couple has been blessed with nine children, 17 grandchildren, 27 great-grandchildren, four great-great-grandchildren and a loving home health care aide.

Robert and Lorraine Ducharme on their wedding day Feb. 3, 1951. Submitted photo

Robert, who celebrated his 90th birthday in November, is well known as the founder and co-owner of Ducharme Bros. Masonry until he retired. He worked construction into his late 70s, which reveals how strong he is. His children said they believe he is the strongest man they will ever know. They noted that he worked hard to support his family while Lorraine worked hard at home raising the children until Robert got home and took over, “as he loves children and they love him . . . when he isn’t teasing them too much.”

The family recalled two of Lorraine’s heartfelt quotes about family life and about marriage that they heard many times:

“A family that prays together, stays together.” That was her answer when one of their children would ask why they had to get into a circle and pray together every night during Lent.

And whenever a new couple asks for advice about marriage, she quickly responds with “Don’t ever go to bed angry with one another.”

Because of frigid temperatures last weekend, the couple stayed in for their anniversary, but the weather didn’t stop lots of family from visiting and calling to celebrate with them. Family members said the couple “have a blessed partnership full of love, selflessness, giving and fun. . . . They are truly blessed to have each other and we are all certainly blessed to still have them in our lives.”