Here is the eulogy for Donald Gosselin read in the voice of his five children, spoken by André. 
Eulogy for Donald Gosselin
June 18, 2020 – Holy Cross Church - Lewiston, Maine
Dad, you leave us with values that make us who we are.
You showed us that change is possible. Convictions are not resilient against time.  We loved your switch to bell bottoms during the 70’s; just as we were taken off guard to see you arrive in a lime colored Jeep decades later. The seemingly impossible is possible.
Dad, you allowed time for play after hard work. You showed youthfulness on the dancefloor, in card and board games, and through the teasing twinkle in your eye. Somehow, you always drew others to you, thanks to your charm… and good Gosselin looks. 
Dad, you leave us in resounding silence. You were never at a loss for words, nor in fear of sharing them. You communicated with passion, with purpose and with conviction. The tangents and detours were the tale. You spoke up to the very end, called to quiet in mid-sentence. 
As a jack-of-all-trades, you definitely do gift us with a lot of tools. You had a work ethic that inspired, untired by the undertaking of a new job or trade. You had perseverance and the desire to accomplish. You showed us the rewards of a job well done.
Dad, you leave us with memories. One of the earliest was of play in the backyard gully on Grove Street and of us trying to pull you out with a red wagon. We were relieved and proud to have saved our Dad. More recently, the care you needed became serious. The red wagon wasn’t to be found. Powerful events unite. Achievements as family are remarkable.
Dad, you have given us a love for nature and the outdoors. Your home, your garden, the woodlot, the Tumbledown hikes, family outings to Reid’s, and seats around a campfire teach us respect for the land and the gifts that it provides.
Dad, you were a mountain of a man who showed us to appreciate nature, look ahead, dig into life and tend it, not be afraid of the stormy weather but be prepared and work with it, to be strong and climb to the top, and to see the beauty in every turn from the earth to the heavens and in every detail. 
You leave us with love of God, family, country and a pride in our Franco heritage. You valued the freedom to speak, whether in French or in English, in church or out. Notre église de Ste-Croix doit ces origines aux franco-américains qui ont œuvrés pour qu’elle existe. Papa, tu nous as donné une chance énorme de pouvoir nous exprimer en deux langues. C’est cette histoire, ton histoire, qui nous façonne encore aujourd’hui. We thank you Dad for having lived your story to the fullest. You are what we have now become. 

Merci Papa. Adieu.
Avec amour, tes enfants.

Gerry and I send our condolence. (Boisvert)

There is obviously not enough room on this page to convey all of the wonderful memories, stories and learnings I have gotten from this amazing man. Our relationship has changed over the years as we both grew, and I have been been blessed to share with his entire amazing family. I have listened to many stories and have learned something every time I spoke to him. The swing, rock wall and garden conversations will be truly missed. My condolances to the entire family and everyone that has had the benefit of enjoying any amount of time with him.  - Bob Doyle

I was one of the PTAs at d'Youville that had the pleasure of working with Don on a regular basis. He was a sweet man... I wish he could have made it back home to enjoy his swing and garden and had a chance to see all his kids again. He is surely missed. - Melissa Fortin, PTA

Thinking of the Gosselin Family as you mourn "Uncle Don," and offering my condolences to you all. Wishing you peace. -Brian Lavoie

Our sincere condolences to Don's family and all the friends who will miss him. We first met about 13 years ago and greatly enjoyed every get together. Panda Garden will not be the same without him.
Libby Rountree and Thomas Cyr

Dad, Here's to you https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9vdkqeshXJM

Country Basket Blooms was purchased for the family of Donald A. Gosselin.

Peaceful White Lilies Basket was purchased for the family of Donald A. Gosselin.

Full Of Love Bouquet was purchased for the family of Donald A. Gosselin.

Many condolences to you all, really enjoyed having conversations with Don. Attended his wedding in 1961 (I think) and still have a photo of the wedding. He told a great story about a tree in the front seat of his cab.  My son and his were friends.  Jeannine was a good friend of mine.   Thinking of Don with many happy memories, will never think of him without a chuckle.   God Bless you all.
Valerie Bussiere Verreault

Serene Retreat was purchased for the family of Donald A. Gosselin.

Andy, I am so very sorry for the loss of your Dad.  Please know my prayers are with you and your family.  Paul Gervais

My goodness one of MY BEST Friend EVER, we go back when Don, Me and Don Snyder hung out when he bought his 1957 Chvrolet.  The deal was that every week we had to wash his car and every Month we had to POLISH his car in order for us to be able to ride in it.   I really think that all of the polish held it together.
 We took many trips to my brother in Massacuette to find hie girl friend which we never found.but it was the fun of it.
Don was a very physical creature having help his father in his wood business and later after his father died he took over that.  One night the three of us told each of our parents that we were sleeping at the other one house only to land up having to sleep in his car me had the back seat over the hump, very uncomfortable.
He was a great talker and you were Lucky if you could get in a word now and again.
He will be missed.
My Sympathy to all of his family and his companion Irene.
Francois Richard "Dick" Bussiere

The Gosselin siblings kindly request that you share your thoughts, memories, photos and condolences on a Facebook memorial group page created in his honor.  https://www.facebook.com/groups/250063746444116

Small Garden Dish was purchased for the family of Donald A. Gosselin.

I first met Don when I represented Lewiston in the Maine Legislature. He was such a proud  veteran and I enjoyed all the veteran related gatherings we participated in together. I invited our wonderful Lewiston veterans to Augusta on numerous occasions and have a picture, which I treasure, of Don and his fellow Franco vets when they presented colors in the Maine House of Representatives on Franco American Day. I also knew Don from his wonderful volunteer work at the Franco Center. He was a proud Franco and did so much to celebrate and honor Franco heritage. Don was always kind to me and supportive. I will miss him, but will always remain grateful for his service to this community and to the country and for the many ways he enriched my life. He will always have a special place in my heart. Most sincerely, Peggy Rotundo

You will be missed Uncle Don! Hugs and prayers to the family <3

Want to give our deepest sympathy to Andre, Mark, Anne Marie, David, Sean and all the family. He was a great guy and be missed by many. Hugs to you all. Love, Marlene and Chip

So many wonderful memories of Uncle Don. I remember him coming over for my birthday and always trying to steal a bite of my piece of cake, he'd say mine looked better haha. I remember so many stories it seemed like I heard more after aunt Jeannine died because he didn't have anyone to compete with on talking haha. I was able to learn about his childhood, my Dad and Grandparents. He was a hard worker and a very giving person. He help/ volunteered at many places and then the biggest thing he could of ever done was to donate one of his kidneys to my Dad so he could live longer. (20 years)That was such a big generous loving thing. Thank you Uncle Don. You will be greatly missed by Chip and I. Love you dearly say hi to everyone for me. Love Marlene& Chip

OBITUARY

Donald A. Gosselin

February 20, 1938 – June 9, 2020

The Fortin & Pinette Group, Dillingham, Lynch, Plummer & Merrill

Show your support

Add a Memory

Share Obituary

Get Reminders

Services