Rene A. Letourneau

Rene A. "Whippa" Letourneau, 85, of Sanford, died on Friday, May 11, 2012 at Goodall Hospital in Sanford.Rene was born in Sanford on February 25, 1927 to Alphonse and Blanche (Gallant) Letourneau. He grew up in Rochester where he attended local schools until returning to Sanford in his late teens. In 1948 he married Winifred Taft and they would spend the next 64 years together.Rene served in the U.S. Navy during World War II. After completing his term in the Navy he enlisted in the Army National Guard, serving nearly 30 years. He was employed for 30 years at the Portsmouth Naval Shipyard where he worked until his retirement. Rene was a very hard worker and liked to stay busy. He continued to work at several part-time jobs after he retired including as a crossing guard, at Fun Town and as a driver for the June Street Pharmacy. He also spent time volunteering at many organizations including the YMCA, the Newton Center and the Salvation Army.Rene enjoyed camping, operating CB radios and going bowling. He loved watching wrestling and was an avid Red Sox fan. He and his wife were active members of the Salvation Army for many years. Spending time with his family was always very important to Rene. He will be remembered as a kind and loving husband, father and grandfather and will be dearly missed by his family and friends.Rene was predeceased by a son, Dwight Letourneau and by one brother, Pete Letourneau.Surviving are his wife, Winifred Letourneau of Sanford; a son, Eric Letourneau and his wife Munday of Springvale, who have lovingly cared for Mr. And Mrs. Letourneau during their period of declining health; a daughter, Beverly Dart of Acton, a step-daughter, Bonnie (Eubar) Dumont and her husband Roger of Harpswell, ME; six grandchildren and eight great-grandchildren; two siblings, Rose Pecor of Jaffrey, NH and Maurice Letourneau of Sanford and an aunt, Juliette Scarponi of Somersworth, NH.A memorial service with military honors will be held at a future date.Arrangements are under the direction of Carll-Heald & Black Funeral Home in Springvale.Those planning an expression of sympathy are asked to consider the Salvation Army, P.O. Box 391, Sanford, Maine 04073To leave a message of condolence for the family please click on the condolences tab to the left.