1925 – 2015

LEWISTON — Louis R. Nadeau, 89, of Stanley Street passed away at Androscoggin Home Care & Hospice’s Hospice House on Friday, Jan. 23, with his loving family by his side. He is now reunited with his beloved wife of 67 years, Simonne, who passed away on Nov. 12, 2014.

Louis was born in Danville on Feb. 15, 1925, a son of the late Pierre and Marie (Olivier) Nadeau. He graduated from Lewiston High School and married the love of his life, Simonne A. Fontaine, at Holy Family Church on Aug. 23, 1947.

Louis worked as a delivery man for Wiseman Farms and H.P. Hood Dairy before he and Simonne opened Louis Market together. They operated their business together for many years, and after closing the market, Louis went back to doing what he loved, delivering milk for Louis All Star Dairy, where he made many friends along his route. He also worked at the Lewiston City Hall in the maintenance department to occupy his time during his early years of retirement and later drove vehicles for Louis Chevrolet.

Louis was a devout Catholic and until recently would attend Mass at Holy Family Church every Sunday. He volunteered for the Holy Family Boosters and was instrumental in fundraising for the church’s renovation and paying off its debt. He served and was honored to be a 4th Degree Knight of Columbus, was very involved in Holy Family Bingo and served on the Board of the Holy Family Credit Union. He was a founding member of the LA Twins and Maine Nordiques Board of Directors. He also was a season ticket holder from the first announcement of the Lewiston Maineiacs and was honored to be an honorary coach during the inter-squad games.

Louis enjoyed taking trips to the casino and Sunday trips to his grandson’s family-owned ice cream shop, “The Whole Scoop,” with Simonne. He enjoyed playing cards with friends, doing yard work, cutting kindling wood, making bird houses, wishing wells and other lawn ornaments and especially sitting in his backyard on his swing enjoying a cigar next to his fire pit. Louis was an avid Montreal Canadians and Boston Red Sox fan, attending many games, even games in Florida.

Louis and Simonne spent many winters as snow birds in Florida, and together they would spend hours traveling to all of the many flea markets to see what treasures they could bring back to their family in Maine.

He enjoyed collecting thousands of matchbooks and proudly displaying them in his basement. He enjoyed many special times with his family at the family camp in Poland Springs and always loved to host birthday parties for grand- and great-grandchildren at his home. Louis always looked forward to and enjoyed time spent with the Tim Horton’s gang, discussing all of the happenings throughout the city. He loved returning to his Québécois roots and visiting and speaking French with his many cousins in Saint-Lambert. He was a fun and funny man, beloved by everyone who knew him.

Louis is survived by his children, Susan Pacios and husband, Bob, of Lisbon, Michael Nadeau and wife, Diane, of Lewiston, Denise Gilbert and husband, Greg, of Lewiston and Paul Nadeau and wife, Linda, of Lewiston. He also leaves his grandchildren, Lisa Cloutier and husband, Norm, of Auburn, Rich Rogers of New York, Scott Pacios of Lewiston, Derek Nadeau and wife, Brooke, of Sabattus, Steve Nadeau and girlfriend, Katie Bussiere, of Waterville, Danielle Nadeau of Lewiston and Naples, Fla. , and Nick Gilbert of Bangor; as well as great-grandchildren Jared, Crystle, Deagan and Kenlie; and many nieces and nephews.

Louis was predeceased by his beloved wife of 67 years, Simonne; and his siblings, Rose, Grace, Alice, Irene, Carmen, Jeannette, Georgette, Victoria, Bill, Onesime, Roland, Eugene, Louis and Therese.

The family wishes to extend a heartfelt thank-you to the staff of St. Mary’s Hospital, C-2, Dr. Jeffrey Brown and the staff of the Androscoggin Hospice House for making sure Louis’ needs were met and that his transition to be with his wife and with our savior, Lord Jesus, was peaceful.

Online memorial and guest book are at www.thefortingroupauburn.com.

He will always be lovingly remembered as “Louis, the cigar-smoking milkman.”