ARMAND JOSEPH BLANCHETTE, HOULTON – Armand Joseph Blanchette, 89, died November 11, 2017. He was born June 25, 1928, in Stockholm, Maine, and lived there for 13 years before moving to Houlton where he became a life-long member of St. Mary of the Visitation Roman Catholic Church and where he met his wife of 67 years, Anita Marie Theresa Robichaud. He served the Church in many ways over the years starting as an altar server in his youth to an extraordinary minister of Holy Communion for most of his adult life. One of his favorite privileges was to bring the Blessed Sacrament to the nursing homes and homebound on Sunday mornings. The two most important things in his life were his Church and his family. During his lifetime, he was an active member of the Knights of Columbus and in his younger years could be seen serving bean suppers or calling the numbers at Bingo.
Armand worked many jobs during his lifetime from cutting meat at First National Grocery Store in Market Square to selling cars for a time and then returning to work at convenience stores like Marc’s Mart and Graham’s even through his retirement. He enjoyed being around people and his trademark laughter could be heard before he entered a room.
He is survived by six children, Marc Blanchette, Timothy Blanchette and his wife, Kathy, Louis Blanchette and his wife, Phyllis, all of Houlton, Mary Brown of Hampden, Patricia Sloat and husband, Andrew, of Houlton and Barbara Lambert and husband, Stuart, of Presque Isle and son-in-law, Peter Loiselle of Brewer.
He is also survived by 21 grandchildren whom he bounced on his foot when he sat cross-legged in his chair. They are Peter, Brian, Kristine, Stephen, Christopher, Bethany, Breanne, Ryan, Andrea, Joseph, Joshua, Gregory, Michael, Kevin, Andrew, Collette, Justine, Chelsea, Matthew, Kaitlin and Alexandra as well as 23 great-grandchildren, Daniel, Patrick, Rebecca, Elizabeth, Sarah, Emma, Leah, Armand, Frances, Ethan, Madylin, Nicholas, Evelyn, Zachary, Noah, Abbigayle, Isaiah, Elijah, Tate, Layah, Cecilia, Sadonie and Charlotte.
Armand was predeceased by loving wife, Anita, and two daughters, Bernadette Howe and Christine Loiselle.
He was also predeceased by his parents, Onezime and Sidonie (Rossignol) Blanchette, a half-sister, Edwina Michaud, three brothers, Onezime, Camille and Alphe Blanchette and a sister, Alvina Roy.
Friends may call from 6:00-8:00 p.m. on Tuesday, November 14, 2017 at Bowers Funeral Home, 10 Water Street, Houlton. A Rosary will be prayed at 7:30 p.m. A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated at St. Mary’s of the Visitation Church, Military Street, Houlton, with Father Kent Ouellette celebrant at 10 a.m. on Wednesday, November 15, 2017. Interment will follow the funeral at St. Mary’s Catholic Cemetery.
The family would like to thank the staff of Madigan Estates for the exceptional care that Armand as well as Anita received while living out their last days. Their loving care and concern is commendable. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Madigan Estates in memory of Armand and Anita Blanchette.
