Maurice I. Denis

AUBURN - Maurice Irenée Denis , 89, known to his friends and loved ones as “Denny” went to be with his Lord at 12:02 p.m. on the beautiful, wintery day of Friday, December 23, 2011, at the Androscoggin Hospice House in Auburn, Maine with his nieces Felicia Garant, Pauline Duchesneau and Laurie Warzinski at his side. His morning had been spent with his loving wife, Yvette, and niece, Tina Denis at his bedside. Maurice was born July 21, 1922 at home on Oxford Street in Lewiston, Maine to Donat and Alphonsine (Lajoie) Denis. He married Yvette Duchesneau on June 25, 1949 in Lewiston and together, they celebrated 62 years of a strong Catholic faith based marriage.

Other survivors include his three sons, Francis Denis of Marion, Illinois, Michael Denis of East Alton, Illinois and Anthony Denis of Vacaville, California; one sister, Fleurange “Flo” Anctil of Lewiston, Maine; sister-in-law and brother-in-law, Theresa and Germain Garant; sisters-in-law, Mary “Kitty” Denis and Lucille Denis of Lewiston, Maine. (Also, Theresa and Germain Garant are from Lewiston, Maine;grandchildren, Melissa Larson, Hilary and Jamie Bradshaw and Melanie and Brad Maple all of Marion, Illinois, Ryan and Dana Denis of Jonesboro, Arkansas and Matthew Denis of East Alton, Illinois; twelve great grandchildren, Keegan McGee, Mya Larson, Neil Bradshaw, David Lewis, Michael Bradshaw, Katie Bradshaw, Parker Bradshaw, Olivia Maple, Khloe Maple and Jackson Maple all of Marion, Illinois and Brayden Denis and Luke Denis of Jonesboro, Arkansas; several nieces and nephews; and great-nieces and nephews. Preceding him in death are his father and mother, Donat and Alphonsine Denis; seven brothers, Charles “Wilfrid” Denis, Rosario “Tiger” Denis, Jules Denis, Etienne “Ken” Denis, Louis Bertrand “Roger” Denis, Donatien “Don” Denis and Emilien “Emil” Denis; two sisters, Hélène Spencer and Marie “Rita” Gilberte Dugal; daughter-in-law, Pamela Denis and grandson, Clayton Denis. In the late 1930s, Maurice worked at Twin Cities Glassworks and the Androscoggin Mill where he was a member of the Textile Workers’ Union of America. On November 17, 1942, he reported for induction to the U.S. Army Air Corps where he trained to become a machinist. He served the next three years, three months and nine days at several training sites and air bases including Miami Beach, Chanute Air Base in Rantoul, Illinois; Jefferson Barracks, Missouri; Fort Simonds, Jamaica; Woodward, Texas; Fort Sumner, New Mexico; Miami Air Base and the West Palm Beach Air Base before he was discharged honorably on February 26, 1946. It was in Fort Simonds, while waiting for assignment, that he became the ping-pong champion. In his own words, he “developed a mean overhand stroke, delivered with lightening speed…….this is how I became the champion, beating all challengers.”

Upon returning from the Service, he finished high school and went on to graduate from Holy Cross College in 1951 with a Bachelor’s Degree. He then attended Boston University and graduated in 1953 with a Master’s Degree in Science in Social Service. He was immediately hired at the V.A. Hospital in Togus, Maine with a goal of helping alcoholic veterans to achieve sobriety. He worked there for ten years until he was promoted to Chief of Social Work Service and transferred to the V.A. Medical Center in Marion, Illinois. He retired from the V.A. in 1979 after 27 years of service. During his retirement, he and Yvette enjoyed traveling and finally settled in a newly built home in Pemaquid, Maine in 1985. It was here that he spent many diligent hours writing a book of his heritage and chronicling the Denis family. Maurice was a member of Holy Family Church in Lewiston, Maine. He served as secretary, treasurer and financial secretary on the Knights of Columbus and after forty years of membership, gained the status of Honorary Member. He was chairman of St. Joseph’s religious discussion groups’ committee, advisory member of the mayor/Aldermen Council, social work representative to the Civil Defense Committee and a participant in the activities of the Canabas Council. He also belonged to the Maine Chapter of the National Association of Social Workers and the Maine Association of Catholic Social Workers where he held the positions of Vice President and President. In his continuing efforts to help veterans achieve sobriety, he was made an Honorary Member of the Togus A. A. Group. He also received many superior performance awards for his hard work and dedication to the Veteran’s Administration.

Maurice had a rich and full life, but most importantly, he was an amazing husband, father, uncle, grandfather and great-grandfather. He had a humorous, light hearted spirit and was a brilliant story teller. He will be deeply missed and his legacy will be honorably carried on throughout many generations. The family wishes to thank the many medical professionals and caregivers who cared for Denny during his lifetime. Denny had many medical challenges late in life and met them all with grace, patience and humor. Many caregivers commented that Denny was a wonderful patient, always pleasant, which made it easy to care for him even during several serious and difficult medical challenges.

At Denny’s request, there will be no funeral. A private memorial was held in Marion, Illinois on Sunday, December 25, 2011. All who knew and loved him are welcome to attend the Burial Ceremony with Military Honors on Thursday, December 29 at 1 p.m. at the VA Cemetery in Augusta, Maine. Arrangements are by Pinette & Lynch, Lewiston, Maine. If desired, contributions in Denny’s memory may be made to Androscoggin Hospice House, 236 Stetson Road, Auburn, ME 04210 or to any heart, kidney or diabetes charity of one’s choice.