Lionel C. Ferland Sr.

Lewiston - Lionel C. Ferland Sr., age 96 of Hardscrabble Road in Poland died Monday February 2nd at d'Youville Pavilion. He was born in Lewiston March 28, 1918 the son of Cyrille Ferland and Roseanna Gauthier. He married Lydia Sarrazin on March 3, 1945 at Sacred Heart Church and together they raised their five children and ran their family-owned farm, Ferland Farm in Poland. Lionel moved to Poland in 1922 attending Minot Corner School and graduating from the Hardscrabble School. He graduated from Edward Little High School in 1936. During World War II, he served in the Army for four and a half years assigned to the Pacific Theater and was Honorably Discharged with the rank of Staff Sargent. He became a cooperator with the Androscoggin Soil and Water Conservation District in 1947 and was elected to its Board of Supervisors in 1954. He served for over 55 years, many of those years as Secretary-Treasurer. He was elected as a Selectman of the Town of Poland in 1952, serving 24 years, 19 as it's Chairman. In 1972 Lionel was appointed to the Board of the Maine D.E.P. and served under three State Governors. He was a lifelong Democrat. Lionel served as Secretary-Treasurer of the Danville Mutual Fire Insurance Company for 25 years. He is a 75 year member of the Excelsior Grange #5. As a Veteran, he has been a longtime member of American Legion Post 150 and Veterans of Foreign Wars. He received the Boston Post Cane in 2012. As a communicant of Sacred Heart Church, Lionel has served as usher, Parish Council member, Finance Council Chairman and President as well as Treasurer of Sacred Heart's Golden Age Club. All of his service is measured, not in years, but in decades. He was predeceased by his wife Lydia in 2006.

He leaves two daughters, Irene Theriault and husband, Stephen, of Melbourne, Fla., and Jo-Ann Jackson and husband, Raymond, of Auburn; three sons, Lionel Ferland Jr. and wife, Anita, of Poland, Richard Ferland and wife, Sandra, of Hebron and Dennis Ferland of Poland; 11 grandchildren; 10 great-grandchildren; two sisters, Noella Hemond of Minot and Germaine Galipeau of Auburn; and many first cousins, nieces and nephews.

He was predeceased by his wife, Lydia, in 2006.

The family wishes to thank the entire staff at d’Youville Pavilion, 3 West, for the care and compassion shown to Lionel and his family during his time there.

You are invited to view the video tribute and share your thoughts, condolences and fond memories with the Ferland family by visiting their online guest book at www.thefortingroupauburn.com.