MILLINOCKET – Delphis J. Santerre, 83, went to be with his beloved parents, Herbert and Louise Santerre, Friday, March 2, 2007. Del passed away at the Maine Veterans’ Home, Bangor. Del was born July 1, 1923, in Caribou. At age 16, he was called to serve in the U.S. Army during World War II, being unable to finish high school. He was in the 15th Infantry Regiment, fighting in Wesberstrunm, Germany. Pfc. Delphis J. Santerre received the Bronze Medal; Meritorious Achievement in actual combat. He positioned to crawl and run 25 yards and then 50 yards to a shattered house, which overlooked an enemy force, which were concentrating machine gun fire on his fellow soldiers. In succession, he fired three bazooka rounds on German forces; shattering explosions, which rocked the enemy soldiers and caused 29 to drop their weapons, abandon their strong point and surrender. In 2004, Del was honored at the Millinocket Elks Lodge. He was proud to serve his country and enjoyed sharing his military experiences. Upon his return from military duties, he found employment at Great Northern Paper Co., Millinocket, and retired Aug. 1, 1985, after working for 45 years as a swiper. Del was a communicant of St. Martin of Tours Catholic Church and was honored to have served as an Eucharistic minister. His two older brothers, Wilfred “Freddie” and Clarence “Doc” Santerre, also had predeceased him. Del leaves his three remaining brothers, Richard Santerre and his wife, Joan, Ernest Santerre and his wife, Anne, all of Millinocket, and Herbert “Joe” Santerre and his wife, Patricia, of Colchester, Conn.; seven sisters, who he loved aggravating!, Dorothy “Dot” Raymond and her husband, Philip, of Millinocket, who lovingly cared and saw to all of Del’s needs for several years until his death, Florence “Flossie” Picard of Millinocket, Rena Hughes and her husband, Al, of Millinocket, Irena Tapley of Millinocket, Verna Charette of Bristol, Conn., Ernestine “Tine” Quackenbush and her husband, Harold, of Millinocket, and Maryann St. Peter and her husband, Harold, of Millinocket Lake; and a sister-in-law, Mary Santerre of Millinocket. Del frequently made visits to see his brothers, sisters and their families. He loved and enjoyed his 145 nieces and nephews, including great-nieces and great-nephews, and often took pictures of them. They loved “Uncle Del” and were all his little children since he never had any of his own. We are very thankful to have had a very special brother who has shown us the real meaning of unconditional love and we will always cherish the fond memories that we have of him. Friends are invited to visit with the family 2-4 and 7-9 p.m. Wednesday at Bouchard-Lamson Funeral Home, 11 Tamarack St., Millinocket, where the Daughters of Isabella, Little Flower Circle will conduct a rosary service 7 p.m. Wednesday. A Mass of Christian burial will be celebrated 11 a.m. Thursday, March 8, at St. Martin of Tours Catholic Church, 112 Maine Ave., Millinocket, with the Rev. Joel Cyr, pastor, presider. Military honors will be held after at the church. Spring interment will be at Millinocket Cemetery. Gifts in memory of Del may be sent to the Katahdin Area Support Group, 10 Field St., Millinocket, ME 04462. Masses will also be appreciated. Condolences to the family may be expressed online at www.lamsonfh.com
DELPHIS J. SANTERRE
