FORT KENT – Fort Kent – William F. “Bill” Daigle, 86, passed away peacefully on Saturday, Aug. 31, 2013, at a Caribou healthcare facility in the presence of family members. He was born Sept. 17, 1926, in Soldier Pond, son of the late Leo M. and Elizabeth (Brown) Daigle.
Following school, Bill commenced a long and productive career in the field of agriculture, which included the commercial raising of turkeys and, later, hogs. He combined his love of farming with potato-related activities, including starch production and, eventually, fresh-peeled and frozen potato products. Bill derived great satisfaction from providing employment for many area residents during periods of economic “ups and downs” in his native St. John Valley. He will be remembered for being a hard-working individual and creative entrepreneur. He was highly respected in the food-processing industry and was often sought out for his business expertise.
Bill was a devoted family man, especially when it came to his wife, Cora, and their children, Robert and his wife, Brenda Daigle of Rockport, Regina and her husband, Donald Murray of Wallagrass and Russell Daigle of Temple, Texas. He is survived by two brothers, John Daigle of Fort Kent and Patrick Daigle of South Salem, N.Y.; three sisters, Doretta Jalbert of Richmond, Va., Marilyn Knoy of Tulsa, Okla., Patricia Kuhns of Gray; and two special sisters-in-law, Adrienne Daigle and Gloria Chadwick and by several nieces and nephews. In addition to his wife of 62 years, Bill was predeceased by brothers, Leo Daigle and Richard Daigle. He is also survived by five grandchildren, Justin Daigle, Erin Dow, Jack Murray, Tristen and Taran Daigle; and four great-grandchildren, Patrick, Ian and Phoebe Dow, and Camryn Daigle, who will dearly miss the caring ways of their beloved “Papis.”
Services will be announced at a later date. Those who wish may donate in his memory to Crosswinds Residential Care, Resident Activity Fund, 40 Village Road, Fort Kent, ME 04743. Arrangements are a service of Daigle Funeral Home, Fort Kent.
William F. ‘Bill’ Daigle
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