Joseph Alexandre

Joseph (Pete) Alexandre, 89, of Sanford died on Thursday, December 16, 2010 at Southern Maine Medical Center after a brief illness.He was born on August 28, 1921 in Sanford, Maine, a son of the late Napoleon and Alice (Morneau) Alexandre.Pete served in the U.S. Marine Corps during World War II as a rifle marksman until being injured in Guam in 1945. He completed his active duties as a field cook until his discharge in 1946. He returned to Sanford and worked with his father and other construction companies driving heavy equipment and pipe laying until he became disabled in 1973.His favorite pastimes included planting tomatoes, potatoes, and other vegetables in his garden behind his home. He also enjoyed digging up his potatoes every fall. He enjoyed his many trips with his wife and sister in law, Helen Matthews to the Moosehead Lake Region. Their travels included camping and pounding the dirt roads for hours looking for wildlife. He enjoyed driving his Chevy pick up around town running errands, especially his early morning weekend excursions with his son Albert.Pete was predeceased by his parents, his wife of 52 years, Evelyn. He was also predeceased by nine siblings, Adrienne Henry, Henriette Lamirande, Raymond, Roland, George, Louis, Edgar, Adrien, and Rolande Alexandre.He is survived by his four children; Peter and his wife Kathy of South Lake Tahoe, CA, Marian and companion Dave Allen of Sanford, Donald and his wife Barbara of Austin, TX, and Albert and his wife Mary-Elise of Springvale. He is also survived by two granddaughters, Celina and Sarah and a grandson Adam. Nine siblings also survive Pete, Gerard of Alfred, Roger of North Berwick, Sr. Shirley Alexandre of Waterville, and Henri, Juliette Cote, Anita Marceau, Roland, Andre, and Therese Klingensmith all of Sanford.A Mass of Christian burial will be held Friday, January 7, 2011 at 11am at the St. Therese of Lisieux Parish, Holy Family Church on North Avenue. Burial with military honors will be held in the spring at Oakdale Cemetery. A gathering to celebrate Pete's life will follow at the American Legion Hall on Main St. Those planning an expression of sympathy are asked to consider the Animal Welfare Society, P.O. Box 43, West Kennebunk, Maine Arrangements are in the care of Lafrance-Lambert & Black Funeral Home, 29 Winter Street, Sanford. To leave a note of condolence for the family, please visit www.blackfuneralhomes.com.