Leo U. Cantin

Leo U. Cantin, 85, of Sanford, died November 29 at Maine Medical Center in Portland after a brief illness.He was born in Sanford on March 26, 1926, the son of Abdias and Laura (Sevigny) Cantin and attended Holy Family School.Leo was a dedicated employee for 33 years as a welder with Wasco Products in Sanford, retiring over 20 years ago. He also served for over 15 years with the Sanford Call Fire Department.Leo was a dedicated family man. They enjoyed annual camping trips to Maidstone Park in Vermont. His family recalled his ability to tell a story (some of them ribald) with exacting detail. They also mentioned his interest in the weather, always able to recite the day's almanac data and the amount of rain in his rain gauge. He was very interested in conserving energy, not necessarily to lessen his carbon footprint, but to lower his power bills. An event not to be missed was the weekly gathering of the family on Friday at 3:00 PM for libations and stories. More recently, a similar gathering on Wednesdays was being held. Leo enjoyed vegetable and flower gardening and his yard's appearance was perfect. His lawn, on which one should never park, looked like a carpet. For 18 years, Leo and his wife Rita spent their winters in Daytona, FL.He was a communicant of Holy Family Church.Survivors include his wife of 65 years, Rita (Gagne) Cantin of Sanford, son Donald J. Cantin and his wife Elaine of Sanford, daughter Anna Bilancieri and her husband Victor of Sanford, daughter Arlene Chabot and her husband Daniel of Springvale, 4 sisters, Sr. Marc, O.S.U. (nee Lucille Cantin), of Lewiston, Sr. Clement, O.S.U. (nee Marie Ange Cantin) of Lewiston, Annette Laferte of Sanford, Bertha Cantin of Springvale, grandchildren Stefanie Haynor, Norman Bergeron, Jennifer Bickford, Michael Chabot, great grandchildren Ali, Sara and Emily, and several nieces and nephews.Relatives and friends are invited to call on Sunday from 3 to 6 PM at the Lafrance-Lambert & Black Funeral Home, 29 Winter Street, Sanford. A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated on Monday at 10:00 AM at the Holy Family Church of St. Therse of Lisieux Parish in Sanford. Burial will follow in St. Ignatius Cemetery in Sanford.Those planning an expression of sympathy are asked to consider the Sanford Food Pantry, P. O. Box 732, Springvale, ME 04083.Arrangements are under the direction of the Lafrance-Lambert & Black Funeral Home, 29 Winter Street, Sanford. Condolences may be expressed at the Condolences tab at left.