MACHIAS – Valdric Allard Deschene was born Dec. 10, 1938, in Princeton, and passed from this life Aug. 31, 2007. He was the eldest son of Louise (MacArthur) Deschene of Princeton and the late Joseph Deschene of Eagle Lake. Val was a lifelong member of Princeton Baptist Church, where he was raised. He graduated from Princeton High School in 1957. He served in the U.S. Army from 1958-1961. Val began work for Bangor Hydro Electric Co., July 21, 1961, and continued there until his retirement March 1, 1994. Valdric was an active member of the Masons, joining the Eastern Lodge No. 7, Eastport, in May 1966. He also joined the Magi Chapter No. 100 of the Eastern Lodge in February 1967. He served as fellow craft, junior deacon, senior deacon and past master of Eastern Lodge PDGM of the second masonic district in 1978. He was also an Eastern Star Worthy patron for many years. Eventually he joined the Washington County Shrine in 1998 and in later years served as a greeter. He was a lifetime member of the Anah Shrine Camping Club and served as wagon master for two years. Val loved his family and friends, but his passion was travel. He and his wife, Brenda, traveled extensively, either with his fifth wheel or on several cruises. He leaves behind his mother, Louise Deschene; a brother, Aiden “Joe” Deschene and his wife, Linda, of Alabama; his loving wife of 24 years, Brenda (Hatt) Deschene of Machias; five beautiful daughters and their families, whom he loved dearly, Renee Pottle, Camela Griffin, Miki and John Preston, Rhonda Hooper and her partner, Larry Emerson and Renae and Brandon Merrill. He will also be sorely missed by his 17 grandchildren, three great-grandchildren; and a special friend, Donnie Johnson. Friends are invited to an hour of visitation 6:30-7:30 p.m. Monday, Sept. 3, at Bragdon-Kelley-Campbell Funeral Home, Cooper Street, Machias. A Masonic service will be after at 7:30 p.m. at the funeral home. A funeral service will be held 2 p.m. Tuesday, Sept. 4, at Princeton Baptist Church. Burial will be immediately after at Princeton Cemetery with military honors. Memorial contributions may be made to assist Val’s widow, Brenda Deschene, P.O. Box 54, Machias, ME 04654. A memorial register is available online to express condolences at www.legacy.com
VALDRIC A. DESCHENE
