MILLINOCKET and PORTLAND – George J. Bissonnette, 90, died April 30, 2011, at St. Joseph Rehabilitation and Residence, after a long struggle with Parkinson’s disease. He was born Nov. 13, 1920, in Millinocket, son of Olea and Caroline (Gauvin) Bissonnette.
He graduated from Stearns High School, Class of 1938. After graduation he served in the U.S. Army during World War II in the Pacific arena. After his time in the service, he came home to work for Great Northern Paper Co. for 38 years, retiring in 1985. He married Evangeline Blanchette, July 8, 1946. He was a member of St. Martin of Tours Parish until his move to St. Joseph’s, Portland. He was very active in his church, serving on the parish council, on the planning committee for the new St. Martin of Tours Church, printing the church bulletin, serving as a Eucharistic minister, lector, collector and a member of the folk group. He was a member of the Block Rosary, Christian Family Movement and Divine Mercy Prayer Group. He served on Katahdin Federal Credit Union board of directors for 25 years, and he and his wife enjoyed square dancing.
He is survived by his wife, Evangeline from St. Joseph’s Rehabilitation and Residence, Portland; children, Sandra and husband, Eugene Willard, of Millinocket, Sister Rita-Mae Bissonnette RSR of Portland, Evelyn Bissonnette of Columbus, Ohio, Sheila Bissonnette and her partner, Betsy Fodor, of Decatur, Ga., John and wife, Diane, of Poland, G. Joseph and wife, Christine, of New Sharon, Peter and wife, Nancy of Fairfield, Calif., and Mary Ellen and husband, Roger Bedard, of Gilbert, Ariz.; daughter-in-law, Susan Bissonnette of Old Town; “adopted daughter,” Mary McPerson of Alna; 19 grandchildren, four great-grandchildren; one sister, Edna Cole of Yaphank, N.Y.; one brother, Paul and wife, Grace, of Bartow, Fla.; also many nieces and nephews. He was predeceased by two sons, Ray Thomas and Leo Patrick.
Friends are invited to visit with the family 4-7 p.m. Thursday, May 5, at Lamson Funeral Home, 11 Tamarack St., Millinocket. A Mass of Christian burial will be celebrated 11 a.m. Friday, May 6, at St. Martin of Tours Catholic Church of Christ the Divine Parish, 19 Colby St., Millinocket. Interment will be at Millinocket Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Katahdin Area Support Group, 10 Field St., Millinocket, ME 04462-1927 or St. Joseph’s Rehabilitation and Residence Pastoral Care Fund, 1133 Washington Ave., Portland, ME
04103-3629. Arrangements are by Lamson Funeral Home, Millinocket. Messages of condolence may be expressed at
www.lamsonfh.com.