AUBURN — Laurier G. “Larry” Mailhot, 91, of Lewiston, died peacefully, Saturday, Dec. 31, at the Hospice House of Androscoggin Home Care and Hospice, with his family by his side.

He was born in Lewiston Dec. 6, 1920, to Raoul and Laura Vaillancourt Mailhot. He attended St. Mary’s School and Jordan School.

He worked at Continental Mill from 1940 through 1942. When World War II broke out, he joined the Army and served as a machine gunner with the 319th Infantry Regiment in France, Rhineland and Central Europe. As is common with members of “The Greatest Generation,” he rarely spoke of his experiences as a soldier but was proud to have been part of the invasion on Normandy Beach. He received injuries during combat and was awarded a Purple Heart. He was also proud to have received the state of Maine Silver Star Honorable Service Medal in 2010.

After his discharge in 1945, he began a lifelong career as a carpenter. He worked many years for Laliberte Bros. Construction as a finish carpenter. After his “retirement,” he continued to practice his craft, helping his daughter and son-in-law build their home. He worked as a janitor/handyman for Holy Cross School and Church, always willing to help anyone who needed some kind of woodwork project done. There was nothing he loved better than to putter in his basement workshop.

A man of great faith, Larry and his wife, Marie, were longtime members of Holy Cross Church of the Prince of Peace Parish, where they were both members of the choir. He was a third- and fourth-degree member in the Holy Cross Knights of Columbus Council 12652. Both of them were regulars as volunteers at the monthly bean suppers. He was also a member of DAV, American Legion and the Purple Heart Association.

On May 5, 1951 he married the love of his life, Marie Albert. They recently celebrated their 60th anniversary. They were devoted to one another and to their church. Every day they prayed the rosary together and never left the house without a kiss for each other.

Besides his wife, he is survived by their only child, Linda and his “favorite” (and only!) son-in-law, Gerard of Lisbon; his special granddaughters, Sarah of Lewiston, Valerie, currently of Texas, and Carla of Lisbon. Larry finally got his “little boys,” his great-grandsons, Dominic and Cameron Byron, who loved to play with their “Big Pepere.”

He was predeceased by his parents; sister, Therese Gravel; brothers, Everett and Bertrand; and nephew, Lucien Mailhot.

The family wishes to thank the staff of St. Mary’s Regional Medical Center and the Hospice House for their loving care and comfort during Larry’s illness. Many thanks to Dr. Richard Kappelman and Dr. Ataollah Letafati for caring for Larry these many years. Thanks also to the Rev. Marc Caron and the Rev. Nathan March of Prince of Peach Parish for their prayers and comfort. Special thanks to cousin, the Rev. Robert Vaillancourt, for his support.

Online condolences and sharing of memories may be expressed at www.lynchbrothers.com.