Harold L. Vigue Obituary (1922 - 2010)

Harold L. Vigue of Waterville was finally reunited with his beloved wife Evangeline on Sunday, October 17, 2010 in the loving presence of their children. Mr. Vigue was born in Waterville on May 26, 1922 to Elizabeth Cote and Charles B. Vigue. He graduated from Waterville High School in 1940. He attended Colby College from 1940-1942, at which time he enlisted in the United States Army Air Corps to serve in World War II. A young navigator who was gravely injured when his plane struck the water after being shot down in the South Pacific, First Lieutenant Vigue helped evacuate his crew from the plane, returning numerous times to the sinking plane to aid his fellow fliers, making certain no personnel had been left aboard. Despite his weakened condition and thoroughly exhausted from exposure, he managed to inflate a life raft, place semi-conscious fliers aboard it, and administer first aid. Lieutenant Vigue was awarded the Soldiers Medal for Heroism, the United States Armys highest award for non-combat valor for his actions in service to his country and his fellow soldiers in World War II. Having fought valiantly to recover from his injuries, Mr. Vigue returned to Waterville where he met and married the love of his life, Evangeline Julia, in 1946. He resumed his collegiate studies and he graduated from Colby College in 1947. That same year, Mr. Vigue joined the Kennebec Broadcasting Company WTVL as a sales representative. He later became Sales Manager and Vice President of the Kennebec Broadcasting Company, Director of Knox Broadcasting Company WRKD, and President of Capital Communications Corp. WFAU. Mr. Vigue served as Vice President of the Maine Association of Broadcasters and as the Maine Legislative Liason to the National Association of Broadcasters. He also served on the Advisory Committee to the Federal Communications Commission for the Emergency Broadcast System. He received numerous awards during his career in broadcasting, including Broadcaster of the Year from the Maine Association of Broadcasters. Mr. Vigue served his home state and his community on the Governors Task Force on Government Reorganization, the Small Business Advisory Council of Maine, as President of the Waterville Area Community Chest, Director of the Waterville Area Chamber of Commerce, Director of the Waterville Boys Club, President of the Mansfield Clinic Advisory Board, President of the Northern Kennebec American Cancer Society, Chairman of the Waterville American Red Cross, President of the Elm City Toastmasters Club, on the Sacred Heart Parish Council, and as a Little League and Youth League Coach. He was the Founding Director of the Kennebec Valley Mental Health Association and he served on the Advisory Board of the Depositors Trust Company and as a Corporator and Trustee of the Waterville Savings Bank. Harold Vigue was a positive influence in every life he touched as he walked his daily path. He was especially inspirational in these past ten years following a turn of ill health. He was a kind, generous and compassionate man whose presence will surely be missed, but whose remarkable spirit continues on in the good he leaves in his wake. Mr. Vigue was pre-deceased in 1998 by his wife of 52 wonderful years, Evangeline Julia Vigue. He continued to celebrate their wedding anniversary until he was reunited with her. Mr. Vigue is survived by three sons, James F. Vigue of Florida, John H. Vigue and his wife Heidi of Maine and Jeffrey T. Vigue of California, and by one daughter, Julia A. Vigue of Maine. He is also survived by four grandchildren, Kristopher and Kailyn Gilbert-Vigue of Florida, and Sophia Evangeline Vigue and Evan Julian Vigue of Maine. Mr. Vigue is also survived by Donna Russo and her daughters Whitney and Alexis, his son Johns step-children Cassandra and Drew Webber, and many wonderful nieces and nephews whom he loved very much. A celebration of Mr. Vigues life will be held at Sacred Heart Church, 72 Pleasant Street in Waterville on next Sat.,99999999 October 30th, 2010 at 11:00 in the morning. Burial with military honors will follow in St. Francis Catholic Cemetery, 78 Grove St., Waterville. In lieu of flowers, memorial donations in Harold L. Vigue's memory may be made to Mount Merci Catholic Elementary School, 152 Western Ave., Waterville, ME 04901 or to Waterville Area Boys & Girls Club at Alfond Youth Center, 126 North St., Waterville, ME 04901. Arrangements are with the Gallant Funeral Home, 10 Elm St., Waterville. --------------------------------------------------------------------------------