ENFIELD – On Friday, May 11, 2012, retired Master Sgt. Randolph Francis Nadeau Sr., 80, lost his long, courageous battle with dementia and Parkinson’s disease. He was born in West Enfield.
He attended Higgins Classical Institute, graduating in 1951. After high school he joined the Navy. Spending four years serving his country, he did not re-enlist, but decided to attend Husson College, Bangor. In 1956 he fell in love at first sight with a girl in a black leather coat, Cecilia Spencer from Bangor. By June 1958, they were married, and by September of that year they were expecting their first child. Knowing that he now had a family to support, Randy re-enlisted into the Air Force in late 1958. He served in many well-known conflicts including the Korean War, Cuban Missile Crisis; as well as the Vietnam War, in which he was a crew chief, maintaining, fixing and flying on primarily B-52 aircraft. By 1965 he was stationed out of Pease Air Force Base, Newington, N.H. Randy and Cece had three children at this point, and settled down buying a house in Dover, N.H. Having their last child in 1968, they lived in the close knit community of Applevale for more than 20 years. Randy could be seen on nights and weekends working on a variety of projects. He always had at least 10 going at once, and was widely known as the energizer bunny. Making wine, donuts, growing a garden, and fixing their new house up took much of his free time. All four of his children learned many helpful life lessons being his helper. He really enjoyed hosting neighborhood parties, especially the annual Christmas Eve party during which he would make his famous eggnog and showcased his ceiling perched, running train. By 1974 he had served more than 20 years of military service and decided to retire as master sergeant, for which he received many commendations and citations. The next few years he worked a multitude of jobs while attending New Hampshire College nights to acquire his bachelor’s degree in business administration. In 1977 he graduated and was accepted to the apprentice program at Portsmouth Naval Shipyard as a machinist. Randy had the additional honor of designing the logo for the machine shop, which is still utilized today. In 1987, at 55, he retired after 10 years, and started working on his retirement home – the family camp – on Cold Stream Pond in Enfield. During the next 15 years they became travelers and spent most winters in Florida at McDill Air Force Base, and exploring the United States with close friends. He was always there to lend a helping hand or just to listen on a long walk. Randy thrived on doing: whether it was fixing or rebuilding something; climbing a mountain; canoeing down a river; camping; gardening and landscaping; enjoying a play, symphony or comedy show; visiting museums; looking at the stars; learning about the universe and nature; swimming; dancing; riding trains; and skiing, and his family was always by his side. Randy’s zest for life and quest for knowledge will live on in all who loved him.
He was predeceased by his parents, Alex and Hattie Nadeau; his only brother, Delmont; and many cousins. Randy is survived by his wife of 54 years, Cece Nadeau of Enfield; and four children, Randy and Leisha Nadeau Jr. of Lebanon, Maine, Catherine and James Reynolds, and Lori Nadeau of Rochester, N.H., and Julie Nadeau of Enfield; three grandchildren, Meaghan, Alex and Nicole; two granddogs, Moose and Cooper; and one great-grandcat, Rah. He will be greatly missed by close friends and neighbors. The family would like to thank the nurses that provided their help, support and knowledge during the eight years of his difficult illness: Karen, Paul and Rhonda of Gentiva; and Donna of Beacon Hospice. Also our supportive neighbors for being there when we needed them. We couldn’t have gotten through it without them.
A Catholic funeral Mass will be held noon Friday, May 18, at St. Leo’s, Howland, with a graveside service afterward at St. Matthew’s Cemetery, West Enfield. Friends are welcome to attend a celebration of his life at Randy and Cece’s house after the services. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in Randy’s name to the Parkinson’s Disease Foundation. Those who wish may sign an online register or leave written condolences at
www.clayfuneralhome.com.