Thomas Anthelme Desjardins

AUBURN – Thomas Anthelme Desjardins, 100, of Lewiston, passed away early Tuesday morning July 20, 2021 at Clover Manor.He was born in Grand Isle on Jan. 16, 1921, one of two children born to Felix and Ida (Lavoie) Desjardins. Tom’s father died when he was two years old and at the age of four, his mother moved him and his brother, Raymond, to Lewiston where he attended local schools and remained a lifelong resident of the Lewiston-Auburn community.At the age of 17, he joined the Civilian Conservation Corps and helped build Acadia National Park in Bar Harbor. He remained enrolled in the C.C.C. until his Honorable Discharge at the age of 19. Tom was also a military veteran having served his country in the U.S. Army during WW II from 1940 until his Honorable Discharge in 1945. His tours of duty and battles took him and his fellow troops of the 633rd Battalion through North Africa, Italy, France, Germany, Austria and England until the war ended in 1945. Among the war medals he received were the Battle Star, a medal for the “D-Day Invasion” of South France and six other various campaign medals.Upon returning home from the service, Tom’s early work history included several years at New England Oxygen in Lewiston, some years as a truck driver, several years at Pratt-Whitney and 15 years at Bath Iron Works until his retirement in 1983.His first wife, Jeannine, died when their two boys were 4 and 9 years old and Tom worked very hard to shelter them and raise them himself for many years thereafter. On April 2, 1982, he married Constance Moreau and together they settled and remained in Lewiston.Tom was a member of Holy Cross Church, the VFW, the Franco-American War Veterans, American Association of Retired Persons, and Lewiston Senior Citizens. He enjoyed golf, boating, traveling, the sun and beach, and winters in Florida for 18 years. He also enjoyed tending to his flower gardens at his home, especially the rose bushes. Tom was a loving, devoted and hardworking husband, father and grandfather who will be dearly missed. He leaves behind his wife of 39 years, Constance Desjardins of Lewiston; his two sons, Thomas R. Desjardins and wife Mary Ann of Turner and Guy Desjardins and wife Christel of Sabattus; two stepsons, Michel M. Moreau of Lewiston and Marc. G. Moreau of Greene; three grandchildren, Rechelle Colfer, Melissa Gosselin, and Brian Desjardins; four great-grandchildren; and one great-great-granddaughter.Tom was predeceased by his first wife, Jeannine Desjardins, who died on Feb. 24, 1960; his brother, Raymond J. Desjardins; and two daughters-in-law, Helen Desjardins and Carol Moreau. Online condolences may be shared at http://www.thefortingrouplewiston.com.Visitation Fortin / LEWISTON Tuesday July 27 from 2 to 4 p.m. and 6 to 8 p.m. Funeral Mass Holy Cross Church Wednesday July 28 at 11 a.m. Committal prayers to follow at St. Peter’s Cemetery. A service of The Fortin Group Funeral and Cremation Service, 70 Horton St. Lewiston, 784-4584. Memorial donations may be sent in Thomas’ name toSeniors Plus Nutrition Program,8 Falcon Rd.Lewiston, ME 04240 or toAndroscoggin Home Health Care and Hospice,15 Strawberry Ave.Lewiston, ME 04240.