Andre Valmore Ouellette Obituary (1926 - 2015)

Jay-Andre V. Ouellette, 88, of Franklin Road, died Wednesday, June 24, 2015 at Hospice House in Auburn. He was born in Chisholm, Maine on December 2, 1926, a son of John B. and Claudia Laura (Groleau) Ouellette. He attended St. Rose School and Jay High School. He left high school at age 17 to join the U.S. Merchant Marines. He served on ships supporting combat operations in the North Atlantic, Mediterranean, Atlantic, and Pacific. He participated in the dangerous Murmansk Run and the invasion of Naha Beach on Okinawa. Following the war he returned to Chisholm, completed high school, and worked at the Otis Mill in the Power Plant. During this period he met his future wife, Dorine G. Holmes, at the Island Park Resort in Manchester. He was among the initial Korean War draftees. As a U.S. Army combat engineer, he was a squad leader assigned to the 19th Engineer Group and participated in the initial landing on the Pusan Peninsula. His primary duties were mine field deployment and bridge construction and demolition. Andre married Dorine G. Holmes on September 13, 1952, at St. Francis de Sales Church in Waterville. They moved to Jay and he continued his employment with International Paper Company. He was active in veterans organizations. He was a life member and past commander of VFW Post #3335 in Jay, a recipient of the AMVETS National Commanders Distinguished Service Award, and lifetime member of Disabled American Veterans. For over twenty-five years he marshalled the lineup of participants in Jays annual Memorial Day Parade. He retired from International Paper as a Power Plant Operator in 1988 after 42 years of employment. Andre was simply a Good Man. He had good humor and a kind, gentle nature. He easily formed lifelong friendships with people from all walks of life. Friends and family could always count on him for an understanding ear, sound advice, and a bright perspective on life. He had a strong dedication to volunteerism in his community. He is predeceased by six brothers; Robert, Edward, Victor, Norman, Raymond Ouellette, and Rev. Leo Ouellette SM; and two sisters, Sister Mary Leo (Cecelia) Ouellette SMSM, MD and Theresa McCarthy. He is survived by his loving wife of 63 years, Dorine; three sons, Dean J. Ouellette and wife Lynn of Jay, Stephen C. Ouellette of Livermore Falls, and William L. Ouellette and wife Cheryl of Topsham; a daughter, Karen A. Nawfel and husband Mike of Waterville; six grandchildren, Andre, Rebecca, Renee, Jeffrey, Lauren, and Jena; a great-granddaughter, Coraline; two brothers, Lawrence Ouellette of Clinton, Connecticut, and Maurice Ouellette and wife Ann of Auburn, and a sister, Sister Mary Leona (Florence) Ouellette SMSM of Framingham, Massachusetts; and many nieces and nephews. A Mass of Christian burial will be celebrated on Monday, June 29, 2015, 11:00am at St. Rose of Lima Church, 1 Church Street, Jay. Burial with military honors will take place at a later date at Maine Veterans Memorial Cemetery, Augusta. Arrangements are under the direction of the Conroy-Tully Crawford Funeral Home, 172 State Street, Portland, ME. Online condolences may be shared with the family at www.ctcrawford.com Memorial donations may be made to: Marist Missionary Sisters, 349 Grove Street, Waltham, MA 02453, Attention: Donations.