BENOIT J. BOUCHARD

OLD TOWN – Benoit J. Bouchard, 95, died Aug. 6, 2007, in Orono. Benoit was born April 11, 1912, in Old Town, the son of John and Henedine (St. Pierre) Bouchard. He graduated from Old Town High School in 1931 and Washington State Normal School, Machias, in 1934. He received his bachelor’s degree from Farmington State Teachers’ College and a master’s degree from the University of Maine. His first teaching position was in East New Portland, where he taught for three years. In 1937, he returned to Old Town to teach the sixth grade at the Herbert Gray school and was made principal of that school in 1938. Ben served in that position until his retirement in 1972. After his retirement, until he reached age 80, he substituted in Old Town schools in all grades from kindergarten through high school. He loved children. In all, he gave 55 years of devoted service to the youth of Old Town. During his years as principal, Ben brought many innovations into his school. He started annual operettas, which were mammoth musical productions held yearly in the city hall. Then, his sixth grade class produced a marionette show every year for several years. He introduced the Parent/Teacher’s Association, PTA, in his school and this was soon adopted in all the elementary schools in Old Town. Ben was a fine musician and played both the violin and trombone. In his high school days he was a member of both the orchestra and the band. In college, he was an active member of the Kappa Delta Phi fraternity. He earned his way through college by giving violin lessons and playing for dances. After college he was connected with two musical organizations, one an orchestra, which was composed of members of the Bouchard family and the other the Duffy orchestra in Orono. These orchestras played numerous engagements all over the state of Maine and Ben could play any kind of music from French-Canadian jigs and reels, popular music of the era, country to classical. He was a past president of the local Order of Elks, held offices in the Maine Elementary Principals’ Association, was a scoutmaster for Boy Scout Troop 70 for five years, past director of the Old Town YMCA, a member of the Maine Retired Teacher’s Association and a member of the Old Town Senior Citizen’s Club. Ben was an active board member of the French Island Oral History project, Nos Histoires de l’Ile, and enjoyed visiting and interviewing people for this project. He also enjoyed the French Island French Club meetings, where he was able to speak French with people of all ages. Ben is survived by a daughter, Amy Morin and her husband, Arthur, of Old Town; son, Dennis Bouchard and his wife, Ann, of West Hills, Calif.; grandsons, Kevin Morin and his wife, Beth, of Old Town, and Brian Bouchard and his wife, Toni, of Simi Valley, Calif.; granddaughters, Linda Smith and her husband, Michael, of Milford, and Lisa Peterson and her husband, Aaron, of Sunland, Calif.; 10 great-grandchildren, Jeni Madden and her husband, Randall Madden Jr., Kaylie Smith of Milford, Hannah and Gabriel Benoit Morin of Old Town, Sarah, Ethan, Megan and Jacob Peterson, and Jamison and Sophia Bouchard; brother, John Bouchard of Old Town; sister, Olive Smith of Dresher, Pa.; as well as several nieces, nephews, great-nieces and great-nephews. He was predeceased by his parents; wife, Agatha (Morneault) Bouchard; three brothers, Matthew, Emanuel and Roderick; two sisters, Evangeline Cowan and Regina Cowan; and his beloved grandson, Michael Morin. Visiting hours will be held 5-8 p.m. Thursday, Aug. 9, at Birmingham Funeral Home, 438 Main St., Old Town. A Mass of Christian burial will be celebrated 10 a.m. Friday, Aug. 10, at Holy Family Parish, Old Town. Interment will be held after at Lawndale Cemetery. Family and friends are invited to a luncheon after services at the parish hall. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Holy Family Parish Building Fund, 429 Main St., Old Town, ME 04468.