PRESQUE ISLE, Maine – Arnold “Doug” Edward Deschene, 87, passed away peacefully on November 15, 2018 at his home in Presque Isle with his wife, of over 66 years, Phyllis (Jensen) Deschene, by his side.
He was born June 25, 1931 in Grand Falls, N.B. Canada, the son of Edward and Mary (Morrissey) Deschene. He grew up in their home with his sisters May (Deschene) Bourgoin and Elnora (Deschene) Pike, the sole surviving sibling, and one brother Ervin. He had four children, his oldest son Calvin Deschene lives in Presque Isle with his wife Susan, who gave Arnold three grandchildren Benjamin, Natasha, and Spencer and two great grandchildren Lincoln and Maggie. His youngest son Clinton Deschene lives in Presque Isle with his wife Jennifer, and two grandchildren Reagen and Duke. His oldest daughter Bonnie Greaves lives in Presque Isle with her husband John and two grandchildren Joseph and Andrew and five great grandchildren Jackson, Nolan, Logan, Penelope, and Vivienne. His youngest daughter Paula McHugh and her husband Mike of Corinth, Maine gave him three granddaughters Randi, Kelsi and Mackenzi and one great granddaughter Saylor. His family members are all blessed with the strong sense of family that he instilled in them.
As a child living on the banks of the St. John River, Arnold had a love of animals, particularly dogs, and was known to bring a stray or two home. His strong work ethic started at an early age living in Grand Falls and making potato barrels. In the summer 1949 he met the love of his life, Phyllis, and they moved to Toronto where he had careers at AVRO aviation and as a street car driver. It is during these years that his son Calvin and daughter Bonnie were born. Later the bond of family brought him and his young family back to Blue Bell, a small village in New Denmark, New Brunswick where his wife Phyllis grew up. It is here that Paula was born. Soon after, Arnold pursued a career in plumbing and moved his family to Presque Isle where he established Aroostook Plumbing and Heating in 1965. He resided with his family on the Conant Road where they made a home for 48 years. It was here their youngest son Clinton was born.
As a hard-working plumber, who loved what he did, he encouraged several others including two son-in-laws and a grandson to pursue a career in the same trade. He made many friends by working in their homes and he always treated other peoples’ homes as if it was his own. Many homes, schools, housing developments, golf courses are markers of his craft in Aroostook County.
One of his enjoyments was buying cars and trucks. It was never a bad day to go shopping for a vehicle, such as this past summer when he spent a few weeks trying to convince his wife they needed a new car. All were his favorite but the “Blue Bomb” a 1960 Chevy was the most special. He also had a fondness for John “The Duke” Wayne and the family felt this quote is the perfect way to remember him, “Tomorrow hopes we have learned something from yesterday.”
He left us all with the love and peacefulness of a person who was dedicated to being a great husband, father, grandfather, friend, and more to those who knew him.
There will be visiting hours at 1pm and a funeral service at 2pm followed by a gathering to share in their memories on Friday, November 23. Family and friends are invited to attend any of the above at Duncan Graves Funeral Home 30 Church Street Presque Isle. Spring interment will be at Fairmount Cemetery. Donations in his memory, and for his love of animals, may be made to the Central Aroostook Humane Society. Online condolences may be shared at www.duncan-graves.com
