LEON C. PLOURDE JR. SKOWHEGAN – Leon C. Plourde Jr., 71, journeyed from this life onto the next on Oct. 2, 2003. His family surrounded him at the Cedar-Ridge Nursing Facility during the final stage of his journey after a four-year struggle with cancer. Leon was born on Oct. 25, 1931, on the family homestead in Caribou. He was the oldest son of Leon and Catherine (Jacques) Plourde Sr. When he was a young boy, Leon’s family moved to Skowhegan, where he attended Notre Dame de Lourdes Catholic School and learned to speak English. Leon was a boy scout and a football player for Skowhegan High School, where he achieved two state football records for most interceptions in a game and in a season, both records that still stand more than 50 years after he set them. In 1950, Leon was working as an usher at the Strand Movie Theater in Skowhegan, where upon seeing a young lady for the first time, he told a fellow usher that he was going to marry her one day. Leon was good to his word and married Charlene Ambrose, of Dexter, on Groundhogs Day, Feb. 2, 1952. Throughout his life, he was known as a hard worker who either worked several jobs at a time or worked 60-70 hours a week at one job. His two main careers included working as a cook and working in the grocery business. He managed Giguere’s Supermarkets in Waterville and in Fairfield as well as Sampson’s Supermarket in Skowhegan. He also owned his own grocery store, Plourde’s Market, on Kennedy Memorial Drive in Waterville in the 1960s. In the 1980s, he operated another business, Char-Lees Donuts in downtown Skowhegan. Even after retirement, he continued working part-time at the Candlelight restaurant in Skowhegan, including one of his favorite jobs of pushing a coffee- and a donut cart around town. Leon served in the U.S. Army during the Korean War. In addition to serving his country, he also served his church, Notre Dame de Lourdes, as a CCD instructor, eucharistic minister, and as an altar server for 64 years. Most of all, Leon enjoyed spending time with his family, including Sunday get-togethers, big meals, card games, and special holiday traditions such as making tortiere pies. Leon was predeceased by his parents and his sister, Alva Plourde Smith. He is survived by his wife of 51 years, Charlene; daughters, Cathy Ames of East Madison, and Lynn Plourde of Winthrop; sons, Michael Plourde and Stephen Plourde, both of Skowhegan; brothers, Richard Plourde of Skowhegan, and Bryant Plourde of El Mirage, Ariz.; sister, Janet McGowan of Skowhegan; six grandchildren, Reagan Ames of East Madison, Lucas Knowles of Hollis, Seth Knowles of Limington, Kylee Knowles of Winthrop, Andrew and Matthew Plourde of San Luis Obispo, Calif.; plus numerous nieces and nephews, cousins, in-laws and friends. Family and friends are invited to visiting hours from 2-4 and 6-8 p.m. Sunday, Oct. 5, at Smart and Edwards Funeral Home, 183 Madison Ave., in Skowhegan. A funeral Mass will be celebrated at 11 a.m. Monday, Oct. 6, at Notre Dame de Lourdes Catholic Church, Skowhegan, with Father Maurice Morin and Leon’s cousin, Father Alfred Jacques, jointly officiating. A graveside service will be held at a later date at Calvary Cemetery in Skowhegan. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in Leon’s memory to the Notre Dame de Lourdes Building Fund, Water Street, Skowhegan, ME 04976 or Health Reach Hospice, 212 Main St., Waterville, ME 04901. Those interested in learning more about Leon Plourde Jr.’s life may read a biography of him at the Skowhegan Public Library called Mon beau pepere, written by his granddaughter, Kylee Knowles. Arrangements are under the direction of Smart and Edwards Funeral Home, 183 Madison Ave., Skowhegan.
LEON C. PLOURDE JR.
