Joseph Alfred Boucher Obituary (1923 - 2011)

Joseph Alfred "Fred" Boucher, 88 of Fairfield, formerly of Cherry Hill Drive in Waterville, passed away Thurs., Dec. 15, 2011. Fred was born Apr. 27, 1923 in Fairfield the son of Ernest and Josephine Quirion Boucher. He graduated from Lawrence High School in 1942. At age 19 he enlisted in the Army. He was captured at Kasserine Pass, North Africa and held prisoner in Germany for 26 months during World War II. After he was discharged he was awarded a Purple Heart. Upon his return he met and married the former Mary Chairmonte of Batavia, N.Y. on Nov. 23, 1945 and together they raised five children. Mary passed away on Aug. 27, 1996. Fred married Katherine Pellerin, Feb. 11, 1998 in Gallup, New Mexico by Bishop Donald Pelotte. Fred worked for the Waterville Morning Sentinel until he started his own business, "Fred's Vending Service" in 1951. He began with 15 peanut machines and turned it into a successful business. For over 30 years, Fred was always seen walking down First Rangeway, Silver St. and up Kennedy Memorial Drive. Fred will always be remembered for bringing chocolates to the Sisters at Blessed Sacrament and Mount Merici. He was a devote Catholic and a member of Corpus Christi Parish. He was predeceased by his parents, his first wife Mary and a brother Armand Boucher. He is survived by his wife, Katherine Pellerin Boucher; his sons, Bob and wife Norma of Cocoa, FL., Rick and wife Debbie of Worcester, MA, Don and wife Lindsey, his daughters, Karen Witham and husband Jeff all of Waterville, Kathy Simpson and husband Stephen of Boxboro, MA; his grandchildren, Derek, Stephanie, Brad and Jessica Boucher, Kristen Witham Edwards and husband Rick, John, Wayne and Brooke Simpson; sister, Mrs. Carroll Blunt Flewelling; sister-in-law, Doris Boucher and nieces and nephews. He is also survived by step-children, Mark Bureau and wife Amber, Scott Bureau and wife Dee-Dee, Lisa Smith, Paul and Donald Pellerin, David Pellerin and wife Robin, Jeff Pellerin and wife Robin, Andrew Pellerin and wife LeAnn, Noreen Howard and husband Lewis and several step-grandchildren. Fred was a Past President of the Waterville Exchange Club and the Maine Vending Assoc. A past member of the Public Relations and Development Committee at Mid-Maine Medical Center, Chairman of the Service Organization for the Annual Appeal, Business Chairman of the Thomas College Development Committee, Service Officer for the POW Organization of Maine, a member of the Bourque-Lanigan Post 5 American Legion, Forest J. Pare Post VFW and the Waterville Lodge of Elks. He was also a member of the Heritage Circle Club at the Alfond Center. He was awarded one of three National Chairman's Awards at the National Automation Merchandising Association Convention in Chicago for outstanding Legislative leadership. He was a recipient of the George Walter Hinckley 2005 Humanitarian Award and the Mid-Maine Chamber of Commerce Distinguished Service Award. He received the Bulldog Award from Lawrence High School. The Serviam Award from Mount Merici Academy, Citizen of the Year award from the Waterville Elks Club. He received the Inspirational Hall of Fame honor from the Harold Alfond Center. He received an Honorary degree of Doctor of Humane Letters from Thomas College. Fred threw his hat into the ring and ran a close race for State Senator in 1990. Fred was a very generous and caring person. Two of his special charities that he spear-headed were Mount Merici Academy and the Waterville Opera House Improvement Assoc. Additional charities include MaineGeneral Medical Center, Thomas College, Goodwill Hinckley School for Boys and Girls, Sacred Heart Soup Kitchen, Alfond Youth Center and the China Community Center, the Waterville Humane Society, St. Joseph's College and Corpus Christi Parish, to name a few. He also created a Health Care Endowment for the Priests in Gallup, New Mexico. The family would like to thank the staff of Oak Grove Nursing Home, Hospice for their support and care and special caregiver, Stana McLeod. A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated at 9 a.m. Wed. Dec. 28, 2011 at Notre Dame Church, 116 Silver St., Waterville. Committal prayers, Military Honors and burial will follow at 1 p.m. at the Maine Veterans Memorial Cemetery Chapel, Mount Vernon Road in Augusta. Arrangements are with the Gallant Funeral Home, 10 Elm St., Waterville. In lieu of flowers donations may be made in Fred's name to Mount Merici Academy, 152 Western Ave., Waterville, ME 04901 or The Waterville Opera House Improvement Assoc., 93 Main St., Waterville, ME 04901.