POLAND – Michael J. Deschenes, 42, of Old Tiger Road, Poland, died late Friday evening, March 18, as a result of a fire at his residence.

He was born in Lewiston Aug. 6, 1962, a son of Leo J. and Therese (Morrissette) Deschenes. He was educated in local schools and remained a lifelong resident of this area.

He was currently employed at Maine Oxford Homes, where he had worked for several years.

He was always a hard worker who liked working with his hands, and was a good-hearted guy always willing to lend a helping hand to anyone.

In keeping with his love of animals, his “kids” were his two dogs, Queenie and Jordan. In his free time, he greatly enjoyed tending to his flowers and plants, gardening, and was an avid collector of precious stones.

He leaves his mother, Therese Deschenes, of Lewiston; a brother, Paul Emile Deschenes and his wife, Shannon, of Lewiston; a niece, Olivia Deschenes; an aunt, Celine Deveau of Topsham; two uncles, Lionel Morrissette of Lewiston, and Roland Deschenes and his wife, Therese, of Auburn; and several cousins.

He was predeceased by a brother, David, in 1984; and by his father, Leo, in 1997.