LEWISTON — Roland “Joe Pete” Levesque, 86, died on Oct. 7, in Lewiston.

Joe Pete was born in Lewiston, Oct. 15, 1924, to Alice (Grenier) Levesque and Joseph Levesque. He grew up on Androscoggin Avenue with brothers, Lucien and Roger and sister, Alice. As a child, he earned the nickname Joe Pete because someone of such strength required two names, rather than just one. An outstanding athlete, Joe Pete played lineman for Lewiston High School, including Lewiston’s state champion 1942 squad.

During a time when economic conditions were extraordinarily difficult for families, Joe Pete worked a 40-hour week at a textile bleach mill while attending high school and playing varsity football. In baseball, he insisted playing without a glove, where his large hands were as effective as any mitt that was used at the time.

Joe Pete graduated from Lewiston High School in 1943, as the first member of his family to do so. He enlisted in the U.S. Army on June 17, 1943, and was immediately sent to basic training and on to France as a member of the 2nd Armored Division, also known as “Hell on Wheels.” He served his country until the end of the war and returned home with Purple Heart.

After the war, Joe Pete married his longtime sweetheart, Bernadette Turcotte. He spent several years cutting lumber in the Maine woods and participated in clearing land for the creation of Flagstaff Lake in 1950.

Joe Pete started as a firefighter in the Lewiston Fire Department and served more than 25 years, working with his son, Roland Jr. for several years before retiring in 1986. Never one to sit still or avoid a day’s work, he continued as a self-employed businessman, installing and repairing fences and doing tree maintenance well into his 60s. Joe Pete was known by seemingly everyone in Lewiston-Auburn and enjoyed hunting, fishing and sports of all kinds.

Strong, silent and solid as a rock, he lived a full life precisely as he wanted to live, remaining in his home in the loving care of his daughters, Madeleine and Connie through his last days.

A dedicated father, grandfather and great-grandfather, he is survived by his sister, Alice Welch of California; daughter, Connie Silva; daughter, Madeleine Levesque and her husband, Edward Comeau; daughter, Patricia Mathieu and her husband, Richard Mathieu and Elaine Levesque, all of Lewiston; four grandsons; five granddaughters; and four great-grandchildren.

He was predeceased by his loving wife, Bernadette; his son, Roland Levesque Jr.; son-in-law, Richard Silva; and brothers, Lucien and Roger.

Donations, condolences, and a photo tribute may be accessed online at www.albert-burpee.com.