Oscar T, Lebel

LEWISTON – Oscar T. “Pants” Lebel, Jr., 92, a resident of 25 Gillander Ave, Auburn died Sunday afternoon at Russell Park Manor following a long illness. He was born in Lewiston, March 27, 1918, the son of Oscar T. and Edna (Sheldon) Lebel, Sr. Oscar was a 1936 graduate of Lewiston High School and a 1938 graduate of Hebron Academy. It was during his school years that Oscar was an all around athlete who excelled in all sports. Following his education, he served in the United States Army Air Corps where he trained rescue huskies during World War II in Greenland for the Air Corp’s rescue unit. Following the war, Oscar joined in his father in their family business the former, Grants Clothing Store for many years until his retirement. Oscar enjoyed golf throughout his retirement. He was a life time member of Martindale Country Club, and had been a member playing golf there since the age 6 in 1923. He was most proud of winning the Martindale Country Club championship in 1958. Besides golf, Oscar loved his family, his wife Isabelle and their three daughters as well as late afternoons on the beach at the ocean. He also enjoyed travel, always taking the long way home. What was true in his travels was true in his life of always wanting to take the long way home. Oscar is now home after a great journey. Survivors include his wife of over 63 years, the former, Isabelle Cote of Auburn; three daughters, Karyn Lebel and her husband, Sandy Nisbet of Minot; Nancy Ezhaya and her husband, David of Windham, and Patricia Lebel and her husband, William Rogers of Portland; one sister, Marilyn Murphy of Washington; three grandchildren, Nicholas Lebel Nisbet, Monica Ezhaya, and Luke Lebel Rogers; one great granddaughter, Pearl and also surviving are two sisters in law, Jean Cote, his personal care giver of Lewiston, and Joan Lepage of Rumford. He was predeceased by one sister, Patricia Sherman. The family would like to express their gratitude to Oscar’s sister in law, Jean Cote for her help in caring for Oscar, and to the wonderful staff at Russell Park Manor and to also Dr. Seth Gordon. Online condolences and sharing of memories may be expressed at www.lynchbrothers.com LEBEL died in Lewiston, October 10, 2010, Mr. Oscar T. “Pants” Lebel age 92 years a resident of Auburn. Memorial services will be held this FRIDAY 4:00PM at Pinette & Lynch Funeral Home. Burial with military honors will be held privately at Mt. Hope Cemetery. A Mass of Christian Burial Honoring Oscar’s life will be held at a later date, SATURDAY 10:00AM October 23rd at Sacred Heart Church in Auburn. Memorial donations in Oscar’s memory may be made to the Greater Androscoggin Humane Society 55 Strawberry Ave., Lewiston, ME 04240 Family and friends are invited to visit Friday at 3:00PM prior to services at the PINETTE & LYNCH FUNERAL HOME 305 Alfred Plourde Parkway, Lewiston, 784-4023