GILMAN ARMAND LEVASSEUR

FORT KENT – Gilman Armand Levasseur, 69, died peacefully at his home on July 5, 2004, after a long illness. His infectious smile and mischievous blue eyes will long be remembered by Betty (Roy), his loving wife of more than 47 years, by his four children and five grandchildren, and by numerous other relatives and many good friends. Born June 20, 1935, in Clair, New Brunswick, Canada, Gil was always proud of his French-Canadian heritage and even prouder still when he became a naturalized American in his 30s. As a young boy growing up in Fort Kent, he excelled in baseball and hockey, and as a young man, he taught some of his skills to area children. It was this love of working with kids that led to his long lasting and fulfilling affiliations with the Catholic Order of Foresters and the Bangor Daily News. He organized and oversaw hundreds of activities and events for the fraternal organization, first as youth director and later, for an unprecedented 26 years, as chief ranger, the top post of the local COF chapter. He also served as state youth director for a time and was named COF Forester of the Year in 1987. As circulation manager for the Bangor Daily News in northern Aroostook County for more than 35 years, he helped countless paperboys and papergirls develop into responsible young men and women. As a social member of the American Legion in Fort Kent, Gil trumped many opponents at Charlemagne and trounced many challengers at the pool table. Mostly though, he enjoyed visiting the Legion hall for the camaraderie and laughter. For many years, bowling also served as an outlet for his talents and personality. He filled many shelves with the trophies his teams captured at tournaments around the state and filled his address book with the names of many new friends he won over. He also enjoyed playing the occasional poker game and delighted in beating his sons and sons-in-law at cribbage. In the end, as every breath he drew became harder than the last, he was most thankful that with the help of his caring wife he was able to stay at home. Sitting in his recliner in the sunroom he could continue to welcome visitors, in particular his best friend “Legs” Labbe; he could continue to keep an eye on neighbors and the world going by; and he could continue to follow his favorite baseball teams on the satellite TV, the Boston Red Sox, the Atlanta Braves and the Chicago Cubs. The last word he uttered was “memere,” his pet name for Betty ever since their first grandchild was born 13 years ago. Gil was born to Lazarre and Albina St. Jean in Clair, New Brunswick, and was adopted as an infant and raised in Fort Kent by Elie and Leonie Levasseur. He is survived by his wife, Betty; by two sons, Rick and his wife, Theresa, and their children, Amanda and Eli of Bangor; Jim and his wife, Audrey, and daughter, Sonya Lynn of Hampton, Va.; two daughters, Judy and her husband, Paul Morin, and their daughter, Chantal of Frenchville; and Patty and her husband, Mark Young, and their son, Jacob of Farmingdale. Gil also is survived by step-sisters, Sr. Irene Michaud of Cambellton, New Brunswick, Irma Dionne of Clair, New Brunswick, and Delena Legat of Delray Beach, Fla.; by brother, Norman St. Jean and his wife, Mary, of Midway City, Calif.; by sisters, Lorette Nadeau of Clair, New Brunswick, and Rita Desforges of St. Elzear, Quebec, Canada; by half brothers, Clarence St. Jean and his wife, Diane, Daniel St. Jean, Eugene St. Jean and his wife, Brigitte, all of Clair, New Brunswick, Gerard St. Jean and his wife, Ina, of Fort Kent, Marcel St. Jean and his wife, Lucille, of Forestville, Conn., and Jean Guy St. Jean of West Garden Grove, Calif.; and by half sisters, Brigitte St. Jean of Fredericton, New Brunswick, and Marcella and her husband, Ricky Perreault, of Fort Kent. Gil was predeceased by his stepbrothers, George Michaud, Leonard Michaud, Gerard Levasseur, and Guy Levasseur; by sisters, Antoinette Luke, Yvette Coutu, and Rena Berube; half brothers, Jacques St. Jean and Gilbert St. Jean; and half sister, Jacqueline St. Jean. Friends may call 7-9 p.m. Thursday and 8 a.m. until time of service Friday at the Daigle & Nadeau Funeral Home in Fort Kent. A Mass of Christian burial will be celebrated 10 a.m. Friday at St. Louis Catholic Church in Fort Kent with the Rev. Claude Gendreau officiating. Committal services will follow in the parish cemetery. Those who wish may donate in his memory to the Visiting Nurses of Aroostook, Hospice of Aroostook, P.O. Box 688, Caribou, ME 04736-9976. Envelopes are available at the funeral home.