Jean Paul M. Morin

Mr. Jean Paul Maurice Morin died of Alzheimer's disease on Friday, January 30, 2009 at Huntington Common's "Reminiscence" in Kennebunk at the age of 90. J.P. Morin was married to the love of his life, Alma (Thibodeau) Morin on May 17, 1941 and they had 4 children together. They lived in Sanford the majority of their lives. She passed on November 15, 2008.Born in St. Evariste, Quebec, Canada to Joseph E. & Exilia (Halle) Morin, on February 3, 1918 he was named Joseph Jean Paul Maurice Morin. The family moved to Sanford and he graduated from Sanford High School in 1939. Jean Paul was a talented and accomplished man who loved and lived life. He had a passion for his banjo and was better known as "The Banjo Man", a New England Champion in 1971. He was a welding instructor at the South Portland Shipyard and later served in the Marine Corps during World War II. After the war, he worked at the Goodall-Sanford Textile Mills and perfected his jacquard weaving at Lowell Tech. After the mills closed, he ventured to the Portsmouth Naval Shipyard in Kittery. This would take him to the height of his career as a nuclear inspector. He suffered a serious head injury at the age of 55 while working at the PNSY which forced his retirement. However difficult at the time, it turned out to be a blessing giving him time to appreciate life. Challenges became opportunities to be more creative. He and Alma traveled overseas several times increasing his interests in art and the world. He took up wood carving and his works are treasured. Most of all, he will be remembered for his appreciation of nature and love of people. He repaired trees, toys, clocks, broken dreams and hearts. If you were a friend of Paul's, you were a friend forever. He is predeceased by his wife Alma, a daughter, Doreen Curtis, a son Stephen Morin, his sisters Cede Morin, Marie LaRoche-Davies, Jeanne Merrifield, Irene Merrifield, and his brother Leo Morin. Surviving Jean Paul are daughters Paula Morin of Sanford, and Patricia Tims of Winston-Salem, NC; daughter in law Jacqueline Morin, brothers, Adrien Morin and Roland Morin of Sanford, and sister Grace Fusco of Farmington, CT. He leaves his "better half's" family of Ernest and Helen Thibodeau, 11 grandchildren, 14 great-grandchildren and 3 great-great grandchildren.Relatives and friends are invited to call on Wednesday, February 4th at the Lafrance-Lambert & Black Funeral Home, 29 Winter St., Sanford from 6-8 PM. A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated at 11 AM on Thursday at St. Therse of Lisieux Parish, Holy Family Church in Sanford. Interment will be in the spring at St. Ignatius Cemetery in Sanford.The family would like to thank Hospice and all the caring staff at Huntington Common. Condolences may be expressed at the Condolences tab at left.