RICHARD NOYES SIMONEAU

THOMASTON – Richard Noyes Simoneau, 69, passed away peacefully Nov. 16, 2005, at home in Thomaston with his family at his side after a long illness. Mr. Simoneau was born April 17, 1936, in Saco. Upon graduating from Thornton Academy in 1953, he enlisted in the U.S. Army. He was a member of the 82nd Airborne Division at Fort Campbell, Ky. where he received training as a paratrooper and medic. While on assignment to Fort Mead, Md., he met his first wife of 29 years, Mary Gerus Simoneau, with whom he raised his son and daughter. Using the benefits of the GI Bill, he attended night school at the University of Baltimore and received his bachelor’s degree in accounting. In 1962, Mr. Simoneau accepted a position with the Internal Revenue Service and returned to Maine with his family, settling in Thomaston. He began his 15 year career with the Internal Revenue Service as a revenue agent in the Rockland office and later transferred to the Augusta office where he served as the acting district director. For many years, he commuted to Augusta on a daily basis as it was important to him that his family would remain in Thomaston. Mr. Simoneau became a certified public accountant (CPA) in 1968. He left his position with the Internal Revenue Service in 1977 to start a public accounting firm which grew over the years to become Simoneau, Norton, Masters & Alex, P.A. located in Rockland. In 1988, he met Jo-Ann Schulz who became his confidante and soul mate. On May 5, 2001, they were married. Together they shared their love for travel and exploring new places. They grew to love and enjoy one another’s newfound extended families. Mr. Simoneau was interested in history (especially the Civil War), politics and world religions. There was nothing he loved more than engaging in a good debate over any of these topics. With his family he enjoyed boating on the St. George River and exploring the islands of Muscongus Bay. Every summer brought a camping trip to such places as Yellowstone, Banff, Washington D.C. and Nova Scotia. He loved entertaining and cookouts. Mr. Simoneau had a strong sense of civic duty and giving back to his community. He coached Little League and was a Boy Scout leader. Over the years, Mr. Simoneau served on various boards and committees in Thomaston including the school board, zoning board, budget committees, library board, restoration of local academy and the Chamber of Commerce. In 1977, he worked to help establish the Thomaston tree planting program which used volunteers of all ages to help replant shade trees lost to Dutch Elm disease. He was a lector at St. James Catholic Church in Thomaston. For more than 20 years, he taught taxation and accounting through the University of Maine at Augusta night school programs. He was a member of the Rockland Elks Lodge and Rockland Rotary. Mr. Simoneau was twice elected to the Maine State House of Representatives and served in the 116th and 117th Legislatures representing District 61 (R-Thomaston). During his time in the Legislature he was a member of several committees including Appropriations and Financial Affairs, Ethics and Elections and Taxation. He was on the board of directors of the Associated Grocers of Maine from 1990 to 1993. Mr. Simoneau was a member of the board of directors of the Camden National Bank since 1978 and in 2003 became the head of the board’s audit committee. Mr. Simoneau is survived by his wife, Jo-Ann; his daughter, Laurette Squier and her husband, John, of Falmouth; his son, Craig Simoneau and his wife, Theresa, of Thomaston; his stepson, Scott Schulz and his wife, Kristine, of Bradford, Mass. He is survived by his grandchildren, Craig and Lauren Squier, Katherine and Nicholas Simoneau and Samantha and Stefan Schulz. He is also survived by his brother-in-law, Mr. Paul Colpitts; his brothers and sisters-in-law, Mr. and Mrs. James Cigliano and Mr. and Mrs. Edward Pragler as well as several nieces and nephews. He was predeceased by his mother, Kathryn Noyes Courtois and his sister, Joan Simoneau Colpitts. The family wishes to thank the staff and doctors of Maine Medical Center for the loving care they provided to Mr. Simoneau during his numerous stays in the hospital. Friends and relatives are invited to visit 5-8 p.m. Monday, Nov. 21, at the Burpee, Carpenter and Hutchins Funeral Home, 110 Limerock St., Rockland. A funeral Mass of Christian Burial will be held 9 a.m. Tuesday, Nov. 22, at St. Bernard’s Catholic Church, 150 Broadway, Rockland. The Rev. Mark Reinhardt will officiate. Those who wish may make memorial donations to Meals-on-Wheels Program, 39 Summer St., Rockland, ME 04841 or to the Humane Society of Knox County, Dexter Street Extension, Rockland, ME 04841.