Joel “Toots” Nelson Fraser

LEWISTON – Joel “Toots” Nelson Fraser, 86, of Lewiston, passed away on Nov. 27, 2025. Born in Madawaska on Oct. 29, 1939 to Joseph and Irene Chasse Fraser, he was 86 years old.

He was predeceased by his parents; and his brother, Camille Fraser and sisters Edwina Madore, Rena Voisine and Gilmay Cayer; along with his youngest son, Christopher James Fraser.

His family moved from Madawaska to Lewiston when he was 2 years old. He went to St. Peter’s School and eventually joined the Army in 1958 and was stationed in Böblingen, Germany during the Berlin Crisis. In February of 1962 he was honorably discharged. He met the love of his life in July of 1962 and later married her on Sept. 22, 1962, at Holy Cross Church in Lewiston. They had 63 wonderful years together. me worked for the Auburn Highway Department for 21 years as a truck driver.

He was a lifetime member of Amvets Post 6 New Gloucester, Maine, since 1972. He held the position of commander two times as well as other offices. He did hundreds of hours of volunteer time for the Amvets. He was also a member of the American Legion of Ocala, Fla. and Mechanic Falls.

He played Santa every year, first at home to orphanages and children’s groups, the VA and any other groups where he was needed and then in Dunnellon, Fla. at Rainbow Springs State Park. Later, at his daughter’s request, he even played Santa for the pets and pet parents at Petco where she worked.

He helped anyone who needed help. He built bicycles for all the neighborhood kids who had none. He built picnic tables for the church and other people who needed them. He ran paper and bottle drives for the Boy Scouts. He made reversible rugs, hats for the troops and schools for those in need. He sewed several military themed quilts. He was a generous, Godly man who helped others in his simple way. He had a sense of humor, and was a man who was easy going, loving and kind and very patriotic to his country. He always wore an Army Veterans’ ball cap.

He loved hunting, bowling and deep-water fishing. Over the years he was drawn for the Maine Moose lottery twice and was fortunate enough to get a moose each time. His last moose was so large it took five men to haul it out of the woods and was very proud of the rack he had mounted. He enjoyed watching football, boxing, bowling, NASCAR, western movies and Elvis.

He is survived by his loving wife, Kathleen Eva (Jordan) Fraser of Lewiston; daughter, Jody Fraser (61) of Lewiston, son, Michael Joel Fraser (57) (and wife Cindy) of Killingworth, Conn.; grandson, Nathan Joel Fraser (31) of Augusta, granddaughter, Maddison Fraser (20) of Killingworth, Conn.; great-granddaughter, Talia Marie Fraser (4) of Hallowell; nieces Connie Anderson (husband Gerald) of South Portland, Sandra Thompson (husband Robert), of Wales, Lorie Morin (husband Michael) of Lewiston, Rebecca Swan (husband Peter) of Lewiston, Linda McCloud (partner Tom) of South Carolina, nephews Gerald R. Cayer (wife Tammy) of Utica, N.Y., Roger Fraser (wife Linda) of Poland, Mark Cayer (wife Sue) of Lewiston, James Fraser of Auburn; very special, long-time family friends Rachel Herald (husband John) of Windham and Remi Gilbert of Leeds.

His wife and daughter wish to thank the wonderful staff of the Third Floor West, d’Youville Pavilion for their excellent and special care of our husband and father, Joel, during his time there.

Relatives and friends are invited to attend a funeral service for Joel on Saturday, Dec. 20, at 11 a.m. at East Auburn Baptist Church, 560 Park Ave., Auburn, ME 04210.

Arrangements are under the care of The Fortin & Pinette Group Funeral Home, 217 Turner St., Auburn, ME 04210, 207-783-8545