Christian "Chris" A. Bureau

Born in Beauce Jonction, Quebec, Canada, on March 4, 1951, Chris was the son of Fernand Bureau and Lilliane Poulin-Bureau. In 1964, he immigrated to Maine with his family to build an American dream, while always remaining proud of his Canadian heritage.

On September 27, 1969, Chris married the love of his life, Therese Goulet-Bureau. Together, they built a beautiful life. Alongside raising Chris’s youngest brother, Dennis, starting when he was 5 years old, they welcomed two daughters: Christine Bureau-Fortune (married to William Fortune) and Michelle Bureau-Wilkerson (married to Billy Wilkerson). Chris’s greatest pride and joy were his three grandchildren: Myah Eirby, who is expecting a baby girl, Aurelia; Christian Eirby and his fiancée, Precilla Taijeron and Ayisha Lemont. He was “Pepere” to all three and was looking forward to becoming a great-grandfather.

Though he had no formal training, he built a successful career through his skill and dedication, earning an excellent reputation for high-quality auto body work over many decades in Auburn, Greene, and Lisbon. He retired and closed his business, CB Auto Body, within the past year, but sadly never had the chance to truly enjoy retirement.

Known for his kindness, generosity, and strong work ethic, Chris was the kind of person who helped anyone in need simply because it was the right thing to do. He was sharp right to the very end and never missed an opportunity to offer wise—if unsolicited—advice, usually beginning with, “It’s not for nothing, but…” Whether anyone had asked for his opinion was beside the point. He could be easily annoyed and wonderfully cranky, but he was also oh-so-lovable.

He treasured summers at the family camp on Androscoggin Lake in Leeds, shared with his brothers-in-law and sisters-in-law: Ronald Goulet, Bob & Deb Goulet and Doris Auger. He enjoyed long days on the beach, riding on the pontoon boat down Dead River while pointing out the “alligators” and evenings around the campfire with a beer, entertaining the children with “Three Finger Willy” tall tales.

Chris’s love extended beyond his family, especially to his pets. Over the years, he cared for many beloved pets, including Chevy, King, Tasha, Chico, Molly, Maxwell and Dexter.

He was deeply loved and will be missed by everyone fortunate enough to have known him. Among those who will remember him are several special friends who became like family, including Dave Craft and family, Dickie Waters, Bob Hayslip, and Carlos Rodriguez.

In addition to his wife, Therese, Chris is survived by his daughters and their husbands; his grandchildren; his siblings, Jeff Bureau and his wife, Linda, Ginette O’Connell, Anita Legasse and her husband, Kenny, and Dennis Bureau and his husband, Mike; and extended family and friends who loved him dearly.

Chris was predeceased by his parents, Fernand Bureau and Lilliane Poulin-Bureau; his nephew, Steve Derochers; his in-laws, Florian Goulet and Gertrude Cote-Goulet; son in-law, Tyrecce Eirby and his nephew, Nic Goulet.

Visitation will be held on Saturday, November 7, 2026, from 9:00 am to 11:00 a.m. at The Fortin & Pinette Group, 217 Turner Street, Auburn, Maine. A funeral service will take place at the funeral home on the same day following the visitation. Food generously sponsored by Alabama BBQ will follow immediately afterward to continue the celebration of Chris's life.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations in Chris’s memory to the American Cancer Society.