Leon Alphonse Audet

Leon A. Audet, 96, formerly of Winslow, Maine, passed away peacefully on January 18, 2015 at the Veteran’s Administration Medical Center in Togus, Maine. He was born in Winslow on December 21, 1918, the son of Alphonse and Amanda (Fortier) Audet. He is survived by his wife of 60 years, Connie S. Audet of Kennebunk, Maine. Leon was a 1938 graduate of Winslow High School and attended the Coburn Classical Institute, The University of Maine at Brunswick and, later, the Gates business College in Augusta. He worked for 28 years for the Internal Revenue Service, retiring in May 1977 in the position of Regional Chief of Audit Review. Following his retirement, he began a tax preparation and accounting business from his Winslow home.

Leon was a veteran of World War II and was part of Operation Overlord, the Allied invasion of Normandy on June 6, 1944. As a member of the United States Army’s 4th Infantry Division, Leon sustained injuries in battle on two different occasions, one after the beach landing and another during the infamous Battle of the Bulge. He was awarded the Purple Heart and was the recipient of numerous commendations and citations.

Leon enjoyed golf, camping, reading, sports, big band music, gardening and cooking. He was a lifelong communicant of the Catholic Church and was an appointed Eucharistic Minister at St. John the Baptist Church in Winslow. We worked tirelessly to help a small group of World War II veterans and others to build the Central Maine Veterans Memorial Park in Winslow and took a great deal of pride in what he and the other men were able to accomplish there.

In recalling his life, he wrote not long ago, “Mom is the dearest and most considerate person I have known. I have loved her all these years and always will.” And to his loved ones, “You have all been an inspiration and a loving family and I am very proud of all of you.”

Leon is survived by his sons, Alan and wife Bonita of Cartersville, Georgia, Lee and wife Jennifer of Keene, New Hampshire, Jay and wife Karen of Wells, and Kerry and wife Deborah of Carrabassett Valley, a sister, Rita Poulin of Lewiston, nine grandchildren, and two great grandchildren and several very special nieces and nephews. He was predeceased by his brothers Edgar, Edward, Reggie and sisters Florence, Cecile and Lucy.

The Audet family wishes to express its heartfelt gratitude to the medical staff at the Maine Veterans Hospital’s Patriot Place Unit for its support and compassion during the final months of Leon’s time with us.

A memorial mass will be held at 11 AM on Saturday, January 31st at St. John the Baptist Church in Winslow.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests that contributions be made, in Leon’s memory, to the Alzheimer’s Association Maine Chapter, 383 US Route One Route 2C, Scarborough, Maine 04074