LEWISTON — Emilien L. Denis, 82, of 14 Autumn Lane, Lewiston, passed away peacefully at his home on Monday, Sept. 27.

A loving and devoted family man, he was born in Lewiston on Dec. 13, 1927, the son of Donat and Alphonsine Lajoie Denis. He attended St. Dominic High School, and later in life the Lewiston-Auburn campus of the University of Maine.

In 1946, he joined the U.S. Army and served in the Philippines. On May 30, 1949, he married Mary H. Giroux and they made their home in Lewiston. A skilled dry cleaner, he became part-owner of Lucille’s Cleaners, and later went on to work for LeBlanc’s Cleaners before a service-related injury caused a change of employment. He owned and operated Denis Construction Company, then went back to school, earned a degree in Business Administration, and went to work as a purchasing agent for the Maine Department of Human Services, retiring in 1993.

A member of St. Patrick’s Parish, he was very active in parish life, and served as an usher, was a member of the St. Patrick’s Men’s Club, and worked as a fund raiser for the parish and local Catholic schools. He also belonged to the American Legion Post No. 22, DAV Post No. 11, the Knights of Columbus, Lewiston Senior Citizens, volunteered at the soup kitchen of St. Martin De Porres, enjoyed fishing and was an avid Red Sox fan.

Besides his loving wife of Lewiston, survivors include two sons; James and wife, Tina, of Lewiston, and Matthew of Carbondale, Ill.; three daughters, Patsy Luce of Marshfield, Nancy and husband Larry Peterson of Leeds, and Valerie Denis-Atkins of Lewiston; a brother, Maurice, and wife, Yvette, of Lewiston; a sister, Fleurange Anctil of Lewiston; 12 grandchildren; seven great-grandchildren; and several nieces and nephews.

Besides his parents, he was predeceased by seven brothers and three sisters.

Condolences may be expressed online at www.albert-burpee.com.