NELSON N. LEVASSEUR

MILLINOCKET – Nelson N. Levasseur, 83, who was born in Eagle Lake, Jan. 21, 1925, died Thursday, June 5, 2008, at the Maine Veterans’ Home, Bangor. Nelson served in the Army and later the National Guard for many years. Most of his life he worked for Great Northern Paper Co., Millinocket, in the mill. Later he ran the logging operation at Chesuncook Village and Lake, the logging boat and river drive. He was the last supervisor of the Penobscot River Drive. He enjoyed his work and the men he worked with. He worked in Connecticut helping his parents with their business at their request and owned his own small construction business there for a few years. He had a log trucking operation for a period of time. He originally worked with horses in the woods, but later was able to run all the outside machinery for Great Northern Paper Co. He loved his work and was a “company man.” Nelson was considered to be “a man’s man” by many because he was independent, determined and had a set of values that he strongly abided by. He wanted to do it his way and for most of his life he managed to that. Though he was small in stature, he was, in the eyes of one of his dear friends, a big man because of the help he gave to others. He admitted he was never interested in school, but ironically took great pride that he, “a man who worked with his hands for a living,” helped his daughter and granddaughter get an education. He reported that he was sad that he would not be around to see his great-grandson grow up and be able to help him go to college. He was predeceased by his beloved wife of nearly 50 years, Helena M. (Astle) LeVasseur. He is survived by his daughter, Sylvia Ingerson of Farmington; a granddaughter, Holly and her husband, Sean; a great-grandson, Connor Hathaway of Gorham; his two brothers, Dean of Island Pond, Vt., and Patrick of Joppa, Md.; a great-aunt, Alice Errichetto of Eagle Lake; cousins, nieces, nephews; and brother-in-law, Raymond Astle of Millinocket. He is also survived by his dear and caring significant other of 14 years, Marjorie Tripp; her sons, Ralph, Joe, Darrell, David Tripp and their children, whom he loved and enjoyed as his. He also leaves many treasured and dear friends. In addition to his wife and parents, Nelson was predeceased by his daughter, Mary; his sisters, Clothis and Ruth; and a number of friends. A service will be held 10 a.m. Saturday, June 7, at Lamson Funeral Home, 11 Tamarack St., Millinocket. Interment will be at Millinocket Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, his daughter requests that donations be made to an educational fund for Nelson’s great-grandson. The family wishes to express their appreciation to the staff at the Maine Veterans’ Home, who were exceptional as well as St. Joseph Rehab Nurses, his doctors and other providers. Messages of condolence may be expressed at www.lamsonfh.com.