ST. AGATHA – Emile S. Chasse ended his journey on Earth March 31, 2007, three days after his 97th birthday. He was born March 28, 1910, in Skowhegan, to Simeon and Laura (Bouchard) Chasse. The family moved to St. Agatha in 1917, and he remained there the rest of his life. Mr. Chasse worked in the woods as a young man, then became a carpenter and started a building material business in 1945. He was very successful and built many homes throughout the St. John Valley. He transferred his business to his daughter, Rae and her husband, Fred Wetmore, of Madawaska, and it became Central Building Supplies, a thriving business now owned by Mr. Chasse’s grandson, James Wetmore. Through-out his life, Mr. Emile, as he was known in St. Agatha, was very active in his community. He was a member of the Knights of Columbus and was involved in the town council and the school board. He helped form the St. Agatha Federal Credit Union in 1952 and had the distinction of having No. 1 as his account number. He was also a charter member of the fire department. He married Marie Estelle Franck in 1936 and spent 55 wonderful years with her, until she passed away in 1991. He then married Lillian Bourgoin in 1992, when he was 82 and she was 83, and they spent 11 happy years together, until she passed away in 2003. He is survived by his children, Dr. Marc Chasse and Priscilla Hanna of Fort Kent, Rae and Fred Wetmore of Madawaska, Dr. Tom Chasse and Jackie Marquis of Waterville and Dr. Roland Chasse and Lisette Morin of Saco; one sister, Alvina Nadeau of Connecticut; 11 grandchildren and 18 great-grandchildren. A celebration of Mr. Emile’s life will be held 10 a.m. Wednesday, April 4, at Lady of the Lake Church, St. Agatha, with a Mass of Christian burial officiated by Fr. Phil Cyr. Visiting hours will be 6-8 p.m. Tuesday April 3, and 8 a.m. until the time of the funeral Wednesday, April 4, at Michaud Funeral Home, St. Agatha. A meal will be served in his honor in the basement of the St. Agatha Church after the service. Internment will be in May at St. Agatha Cemetery, not far from where Mr. Emile spent his life, by the shores of Long Lake.
EMILE S. CHASSE
