Andrew Michaud

SCARBOROUGH -- Andrew Alexander "Andy" Michaud, 90, died at his home on July 1, 2018, surrounded by family. He was born August 19, 1927, in Brownville Junction, Maine, the only child of Achille Samuel Michaud and Marie Valentine Michaud. Sam and Valentine immigrated to Maine from Quebec when Sam got the Canadian Pacific Railroad (CPR) commissary contract, supplying food and hiring cooks to feed the large construction and maintenance crews based in Brownville Junction. Andrew's parents and their extended Quebec family were a vital part of his life. Andrew graduated from Brownville Junction High School in 1946, followed by a year at Higgins Classical Institute. He married Pauline Heskett of Brownville Village in 1952. Andrew, Pauline and their growing family lived in Brownville Junction until 1960 when they moved to South Portland. The Michaud's continued to visit family in the Brownville area, where they also enjoyed summers at their camp on Schoodic Lake. Andrew worked for the Michaud Commissary in his teens, and then for CPR as a telegraph operator. As a young man, he sold some of the first TV units, worked at Sears selling appliances, owned an asphalt plant, and sold fallout shelters. He then worked in sales for Metropolitan Life Insurance for most of his career, retiring in 1985. During those years, he continued to pursue many entrepreneurial projects. In his retirement, he sold promotional items to local businesses, which he said was the most fun he ever had working. As a young man, inspired by a professional pianist, he started playing piano by ear, in a stride/ragtime style. He played at the former Mustache Cup Tavern on Exchange Street in the 1960s, the Prince of Fundy ferry to Nova Scotia, at Shakey's restaurant, at the Ground Round, and with the Presumpscot River Bottom Boys and other bands. He continued playing until very recently. Andrew and Pauline enjoyed traveling, often making road trips to visit family in Central Maine and Canada, as well as trips to the West Coast, Europe and Japan. Andrew enjoyed mowing his 3-acre lawn with his farm-size diesel tractor, watching the Red Sox (when they were playing well), frequent trips to Marden's, and his many dogs, most recently Josh and Suzie. He loved entertaining - showing old home movies, sharing stories of his many near-death experiences, telling humorous Maine anecdotes, and playing piano and jamming with other family musicians. Andrew was preceded in death by his wife, Pauline, in 2016. Both devout Catholics, they were members of St. Maximilian Kolbe parish in Scarborough. He is survived by his seven children: Joe Michaud (Jamie), Cumberland; Anne Jess (Howard), Mercer Island, WA; Denise Michaud, San Mateo, CA; Paula Michaud (Jay Stevenson), Scarborough; Jayne Michaud, Arlington, VA; John Michaud (Diana "Didi" Reisky), Old Orchard Beach; and Andrea "Drea" Michaud (David Siegfried), South Portland; six grandchildren: Alex Michaud, Seattle, WA; Kate Michaud, Portland; Becky Mann (Casey), Seattle, WA; Levi Jess, Mercer Island, WA; Mike Jess, Mercer Island, WA; Matthew Paquin, Scarborough; and two great-grandchildren: Luna Jess, Olympia, WA; and Ellie Mann, Seattle, WA. The family is grateful to Hospice of Southern Maine and Comfort Keepers Home Care for their tender compassion and skilled care-giving, enabling Dad to spend his final weeks in his own home. A Memorial Mass will be said at 11am Friday, July 6, at St. Maximilian Kolbe Church, 150 Black Point Road, Scarborough, followed by a reception in the church hall. Burial will be private. Arrangements are under the direction of the Conroy-Tully Walker Funeral Home, 172 State Street, Portland. To view Andrew's memorial page, or to share an online condolence, please visit www.ConroyTullyWalker.com In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to the Franciscan Monastery, PO Box 980, Kennebunkport, ME 04043.