Gerard L. Arton

Gerard "Joe" Lucien Arton, 88 years old, of Sanford, ME died Saturday, December 22, 2007 at the Greenwood Center in Sanford.Joe was born on November 23, 1919 in Sanford, ME. He was the son of the late Joseph and Anna Richer Arton.Joe was a lifelong resident of Sanford, and was a member of the Sanford High School graduating class of 1940. While in high school, Joe was an avid football player and liked to watch baseball. He became a fan of football and baseball for the rest of his life. For many years Joe enjoyed working at Cyro Industries as a glasscutter. He was a member of the Knights of Columbus, the Elks Lodge, and Lafayette Clubs.Joe was a communicant of St. Ignatius Church, St. Therese Parish in Sanford. He enjoyed spending time with family and friends, traveling across country to visit them on many occasionsJoe is survived by his long-time friend and companion Juliette O. Brulotte of Sanford and her four children; Jeanine Perron and her husband Raymond of Gilbert, AZ Janet Simmons and her husband Daniel of E.Weymouth, MA, Jo-Ann Turner and her husband Ronald of Wells, ME, and Michael Brulotte of Sanford, ME all who affectionately referred to Joe as "Papa Joe". A sister, Therese Reeves and her husband Paul of Auburn NH, a sister-in-law Bertha Allen Arton of Walnut Creek, CA, several nieces, nephews and cousins. Joe was predeceased by his brothers George and Lionel ArtonJoe was a kind and gentle man who will be greatly missed by Juliette Brulottes' six grandchildren and six great-grandchildren who knew Joe as their beloved "Pepere Joe"There will be no visiting hours. A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated at St. Ignatius Church of St. Therese Parish in Sanford, ME on Saturday, January 19, 2008 at 11:00 a.m. Burial will take place in the spring.The family would like to thank the staff of the Greenwood Center for their care and compassion for Joe over the past three years. In lieu of flowers the family suggests any memorial contributions be sent to Greenwood Center Activities Fund, 1142 Main St., Sanford, ME 04073.Services for the Arton family have been arranged through the Lafrance-Lambert & Black Funeral Home of Sanford, ME.To leave the family a message of condolence please use the "condolences" tab to the left.