Adelard “Al” E. Joncas Jr.

NEW GLOUCESTER – Adelard “Al” E. Joncas Jr., 85, of Ricker Road, New Gloucester, passed away with family by his side on Friday, Dec. 29, 2023, just past midnight after several months of illness. He was born on Oct. 13, 1938, to Elizabeth (Boulanger) Joncas and Adelard Joncas Sr. He was the youngest of six siblings. He attended Auburn Schools up through the 8th grade. He worked as a mechanic first at a garage near his auburn home on Foster Road, then later working at the former Ward’s Garage in East Poland. In time, He purchased that business and was the owner, proprietor until 1990 when he sold it. He then worked for Eastern Fire and Protection until he retired 10 years ago.

In 1960, he married Jacqueline “Jackie” Mercier of New Gloucester and moved to downtown Auburn for a short time. They moved back to New Gloucester where he began building his own home. In 1961, the couple welcomed Deborah (Schlegel) and in 1964, Robert was born. In 1990, Jackie passed after a long illness. Two years later, Al married Jeannette Bechard (Bisson), a woman he knew all his life since they walked together to the end of the Foster Road to either the one room school house or the bus to Walton.

Al was a man of few words, but when he spoke, most listened. He grew up in a Franco-American household and learned to speak English after going to school, but he never lost his first language. He was incredibly, mechanically minded, starting as a young entrepreneur fixing bicycles at the garage he built beside his home, which later transitioned to other mechanical machines such as tractors, motorcycles and automobiles. He built his first tractor as a teen to replace the family’s horse and plow, and many more creations would follow. He was an independent thinker and doer. He proudly professed he built his home in New Gloucester completely by himself except for pouring the foundation, installing the furnace and his father laid down the first few feet of the chimney, the rest, he would finish.

He enjoyed a challenge and he loved it when others proclaimed something couldn’t be done, because he would figure out a way to do it. He was stubborn, working at a task until it was completed in a way he could be proud, no matter how long it took him. He did not like cutting corners. He spent his down time building machines of various needs, and puttering in his basement work shop creating furniture, fixing things and helping family with their handyman needs.

He was lucky to have not just one, but two loves in his life and we are sure that Friday morning, they both took him by the hand and led him home. He is sorely missed.

The family invites you to a time of visitation on Wednesday January 10, from 4-7 p.m., at the Fortin Group Funeral Home, 70 Horton St., Lewiston. A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated on January 11, at The Basilica of St. Peter and Paul in the Lower Chapel, Ash Street, Lewiston. Committal Service will be at St. Peters Cemetery, Deer Road, Lewiston immediately following.

You may offer your condolences or share your memories at http://www.thefortingrouplewiston.com.