Lionel Turcotte Obituary (1913 - 2009)

Lionel J. Babe TurcotteWEST GARDINER -- Lionel J. Babe Turcotte, 95, passed away peacefully on Feb. 3, 2009, at home, in his favorite chair, in the presence of his wife of 70 years, Theo, and his daughter, Sherry.He was born in Skowhegan on Aug. 27, 1913, the son of Elmer (Edmund) Joseph and Margaret (Mary) Peters Turcotte. He grew up on Spring Street in Gardiner, attending school there and graduating from Gardiner High School in 1932. He was a three-sport athlete, playing baseball, football and basketball. He was awarded the Alice M. Richards Cup at graduation for outstanding athlete during four years of high school. He was predeceased by his parents; a brother, Adolph; and two sisters, Katherine French and Virginia Jordan.On Aug. 27, 1938, he married Theo K. Malcolm, who survives him. They were married for 70 years. He is also survived by his five children, Sherry Turcotte, his caretaker, of West Gardiner, Jude Torrington and her husband, Rawn, of Manchester, Joe Turcotte and his wife, Raye, of Augusta, Kerry Tracy and her husband, Dennis, of Ellsworth, Bob Turcotte and his wife, Cindy, of Litchfield and Monmouth, and his special honorary daughter, Pam Taylor and her husband, Steve, of Porter; seven grandchildren, Joe Turcotte Jr. and his wife, Kristin, of Waldoboro, Gina Turcotte, of China, Eric Tracy and his wife, Wendy, of Falmouth, Kristy Dawes and her husband, John, of Yarmouth, Tom Torrington and Katie Lawrence, of Bluffton, S.C., Tammy Turcotte and Jaime Nunez, of Portland, and Shelby Turcotte and his fiance, Heather Adams, of Portland; nine great-grandchildren, Jenna Turcotte, of Somerville, Austin, Grace Ann and Jacob Turcotte, of Waldoboro, Caroline and Julia Tracy, of Falmouth, Lauren and Justin Dawes, of Yarmouth, and Vanesza Nunez, of Portland; as well as several nieces and nephews.During his lifetime, he worked hard at many different jobs, often holding down two jobs at once. He worked at Bath Iron Works during the 1940s, was custodian and bus driver at a Farmingdale school in the 1950s and '60s, worked evenings at various gas stations in the area and was chief custodian at Gardiner Area High School from 1966 to 1985. He worked as part-time custodian at Hall-Dale Elementary School on Sheldon Street from 1985 to 1990 and was a part-time bus driver for Winthrop schools. He loved working, reading Louis L'Amour novels, riding his motorcycle, big band music, Christmas lights, flowers, strawberry ice cream and traveling. He and his wife traveled to Florida in their motor home for 15 winters in a row. He also drove the Tioga across country two different times and flew to Hawaii on vacation eight times. He was proud to have traveled to 49 of the 50 states (all except Alaska) as well as to Canada. He loved life, his family, sports and going for a ride, especially his almost-daily trips to T's Golf and then Deb's for ice cream.He was an honorary member of Maine Rural Letter Carriers and attended 18 national conventions around the country as well as many state conventions beginning in 1989. During his lifetime, he had many hospitalizations and injuries but remained a strong, positive person, always rebounding, even from a broken neck at the age of 89. The following year he drove the Tioga to Florida and back.He was a member of Cobbosseecontee Grange 100 for 60 years, holding the office of master for several years and also chaplain. He was a member and past master of Kennebec Pomona Grange, as well as a member of state and national Grange. He served on installation teams throughout the state and became a state Grange deputy, instructing subordinate Granges during the 1960s and '70s. When Cobbosseecontee Grange closed, he joined Mill Stream Grange in Vienna.The family would like to thank Cathi Seraphi, registered nurse with Hospice; and Lisbon Family Practice staff Dr. Stephen Fairchild, and nurses Terri and Lisa, for all their help and wonderful care of Dad.In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Lionel Babe Turcotte Sports Scholarship Fund to be set up and awarded to a Gardiner high school graduate each June. Contributions should be sent to Lionel Babe Turcotte Sports Scholarship Fund, c/o Andrea Disch, Maine School Administrative District 11, 150 Highland Ave., Gardiner, ME 04345.Condolences to the family may be sent to babe.turcotte@ yahoo.com.Visiting hours will be from 6 to 8 p.m. Thursday, Feb. 5, and from 10 to 11 a.m. Friday, Feb. 6, at Staples Funeral Home in Gardiner. Services will take place at 11 a.m. Friday, Feb. 6, at the funeral home. Spring burial will be at Cherry Hill Cemetery in West Gardiner.