DUDLEY J. BOUCHARD

BREWER – Dudley J. Bouchard, 75, husband of Joan (MacDonald) Bouchard, died Friday, March 27, 2009, surrounded by his family at his home, after a 28-year battle with Multiple Sclerosis. Dudley was born April 7, 1933, in Madawaska, the son of Levite and Emelda (Beland) Bouchard and also his second mother, who raised him from the age of 5, Jeanette Franck Bouchard. Dudley attended schools in Madawaska and St. Agatha Convent. He graduated from St. Francis High School, Biddeford, in 1951. He served in the U.S. Army and was stationed in France as a French interpreter. After serving in the Army and living in California he finally moved to Maine, where he attended Husson College and graduated with a business administration degree in 1960. He was employed by New York Life Incorporated and International Harvester until he became a business owner of some local businesses, which included Broadway Superette, Brewer Variety and Duds Dairy Freeze. Dudley was a landlord to many apartment buildings. He was a very successful businessman because he loved what he did and it showed in the way he treated his employees and customers. Dudley was a long time member of St. Joseph’s Catholic Church, where he was a past member of the church council and member of Knights of Columbus. Dudley was diagnosed with Multiple Sclerosis in 1981. His courage was amazing as he battled this disease. His wife, Joan, never left his side. She took care of him every day without hesitation. Dudley had a will to live; he never gave up. He was able to see all three of his daughter’s graduations from high school, college, get married and have his wonderful grandchildren. Dudley is survived by his loving and devoted wife of 48 years, Joan “Dodo” Bouchard; his children, Kathleen Baston and her husband, Todd, of Gray and their children, Shelby, Taylor, Morgan and Mackenzie; a daughter, Michelle Mayo and former husband, Christopher Mayo, of Brewer and their children, Kayla and Natalie; a daughter, Tricia Steiger and her husband, Brent, of Brewer, and their children, Zachary and Olivia. Dudley had many siblings that he adored and remained close to through the years; they were always there for each other; two brothers, Gilman Bouchard and his wife, Maureen, of Lake Havasu, Ariz., and Leslie Bouchard and his wife, Majella, of Brownsville, Texas; two sisters, Terry Merino of Lake Havasu, Ariz., and Yvette Bellrose and her husband, Frank, of Citrus Springs, Fla. Dudley was also very close to his in-laws, Richard MacDonald and his wife, Carolyn, of Bangor and Mary Churchill and husband, William, of Gray, Linda Webb and her husband, Norman “Buddy,” of Veazie. Dudley leaves behind many nieces and nephews and special cousins whom he loved dearly. Dudley had many wonderful friends, especially Maggie and Ed Gosselin of Brewer, the Youngblood family of Brewer, and Connie and Norman Rossignol. In addition to his parents, Dudley was predeceased by two brothers-in-law, Gerald MacDonald Jr. and Leo Merino. Dudley was a hard worker and a wonderful husband and father. He had endless energy and loved to be with his girls teaching them to downhill ski or just swimming in the backyard pool. He loved life and projected that to all those around him. He loved traveling with his wife and making special trips to Madawaska to visit family and spending time at his sister’s home in Scarborough. There are many memories of Old Orchard Beach that will remain forever in the hearts of this family. A special thank you to the many nurses and home health staff that took care of Dudley throughout the years, especially Pat Eye, Nancy Burgess, Marie Sergie, Gloria Bradford and Melinda Brown. A thank you to Dr. Allan Currie for all your wonderful care throughout the years. Relatives and friends are welcome to call 5-8 p.m. Tuesday, March 31, at Brookings-Smith, 133 Center St., Bangor. A Mass of Christian burial will be celebrated 11 a.m. Wednesday at St. Joseph’s Roman Catholic Church, 531 North Main St., Brewer. After the service relatives and friends are invited to share conversation and refreshment at the church hall. Interment will be held in the spring at Woodlawn Cemetery, Brewer. Those wishing to remember Dudley in a special way may make gifts in his memory to New Hope Hospice, P.O. Box 757, Holden ME 04429, St. Joseph’s Catholic Church, 531 North Main St., Brewer, ME 04412 or Brewer School Department, in care of the Children’s Fund, 49 Capri St, Brewer, ME 04412. Condolences to the family may be expressed at www.BrookingsSmith.com.