LEWISTON – Few people who know Lionel Guay were surprised by his resignation.

“I got to see him behind the scenes,” City Administrator Jim Bennett said Monday. “Stress weighed on him.”

At the Franco-American Heritage Center, Guay had been pulling away from the group he founded and led. Rita Dube, the center’s director and manager of Guay’s two mayoral victories, said she has seen less and less of her friend in recent months.

“I think this man has been put through an enormous amount of stress and pressure,” Dube said. “I’m not surprised. I think he wants to live a more private life.”

The price will be an unfinished tenure as mayor and a questionable legacy.

In a speech to reporters Monday, City Council President Renee Bernier described Guay’s one-and-a-half-term legacy as one of “integrity.”

Bennett drew it a little finer, saying that Guay’s work for the Franco Center and the now-defunct Festival de Joie will likely overshadow his three years of work in the center of city government.

The annual Festival de Joie ran for 13 years, typically drawing 12,000 to 15,000 people over its three days. When Guay stepped down as president last year, the festival collapsed.

In 2000, Guay led the group that bought the former St. Mary’s Church from the Roman Catholic Diocese of Maine and turned it into the Franco-American Heritage Center. He led the effort to bring in millions of dollars in donations and grants, money that has renovated much of the Little Canada landmark.

Serving as mayor tested Guay differently.

Elected in 2003, he succeeded Larry Raymond, who left office after sparking a nationally reported controversy with Lewiston’s Somali community. A year later, Lionel’s younger brother, Auburn mayor Normand Guay ignited a controversy when police accused him of drunk driving. The charges were later dropped.

Lionel Guay’s own controversy erupted just prior to last November’s election. He was accused of groping a teenage girl who worked in his accounting office. A jury found him not guilty of the misdemeanor charges.

Dube believes the trial took much of her friend’s strength.

“It’s sad,” she said. “I don’t blame him for leaving.”

Debra Ramon, whose daughter, Danielle, accused Guay of touching her, said she was not surprised by the mayor’s resignation. Since Danielle first spoke publicly about her allegations, local people have been 99 percent favorable to her, Debra said.

She guessed that the mayor’s treatment from the public is less kind.

“He really relished his work as mayor,” said Debra, once a family friend. “I bet his perception has changed.”

John Jenkins, Auburn’s mayor-elect and a former Lewiston mayor for two terms, said Monday that he was surprised by the resignation.

But the newest controversy does nothing to take away his optimism, he said.

“It’s never been an easy post to have,” Jenkins said of the role of mayor. “You do a gut check before you go out there. It’s tough, tough stuff.”

If the pressure was too much, Jenkins understands.

“Everything you do becomes part of the public commentary,” he said. “It’s a life less private.”

The payoff comes from the chance to help folks, he said.

“It’s not for the glory or the money.”