CARIBOU and VAN BUREN Joseph “George” Fournier, 86, passed away Feb. 21, 2008, at the VA Center, Caribou. He was born April 23, 1921, in Van Buren. His parents were Belonie “Bill” Fournier and Anna (Martin) Fournier. He attended Van Buren Boy’s High School, then started to work with his father in Fort Kent at Escovitch’s Garage. Then his father built his own garage in Van Buren, namely Fournier’s Garage, where George learned all his auto mechanic skills, since his father, Bill, was the best in the business, rebuilding his own automobile engines. During the Depression, business was slow, so he went to work at Eudo Cormier’s garage. George, being a perfectionist, was very well known all throughout the state of Maine as being one of the best auto mechanics. He served in World War II and was a member of American Legion Post No. 49. He was also a member of St. Bruno Choir Society as an instrumentalist for Sunday Masses and special occasions, also playing when his sister, Simone, sang at funerals and weddings. The family was a musical family. His father played the trumpet, and also his two brothers played. They would play in a band every Sunday night and all of the crewmembers would rehearse during the week on our front porch. What fun. At 10 years old, George would play taps at all of the military funerals and Memorial Day parades. A teacher arranged for him to apply for an audition with the Boston Pops. He applied and was accepted. After a few appearances, he found it impossible to travel, as he was about 16 or 17 years old. Even then, music was his world; he was blessed with it and shared it. He played in orchestras, bands, at dances, every time he was asked. He could play any wind instrument he could get his hands on, although the cornet was his favorite, along with the euphonium, which is very hard to play. After his father died, he was left and took over Fournier’s Garage until he retired. He will be sadly missed by his family; his four children, Rosita Lewis of Stolkholm, Ann Grant of Vancouver, Wash., Nola Lang of East Millinocket and Roland Fournier of Waterville; two sisters, Claire Merritt of New Market, Ontario, and Simone Labbe of Hamlin; a brother, Robert Fournier of Hamlin; also 15 grandchildren, Danielle, Mark, Paula, twins, Edward and Lisa, April, Hallayann, Julie, Debbie, Andrew, Charles, Gregg, Erin, Bethany and Hannah and 25 great-grandchildren; special friends, Tom Champlin and Harriet St. Pierre, Bud Finnemore of Caswell and so many other dear friends. He was predeceased by his wife of 54 years, Alfreda (Thibodeau) Fournier; his son, Eudo Fournier; and his first grandchild, David. He was also predeceased by a sister, Isabelle; a brother, Martin Fournier; and, of course, his parents. We treasured the presence of his talents in the very depths of all our hearts. Even time itself will not steal his memory away. A memorial Mass will be sung sometime in March. In lieu of flowers, at his own request, he would like to be remembered in Masses or donation to St. Bruno-St. Remi Church.
JOSEPH ‘GEORGE’ FOURNIER
