HOULTON, Maine — Louis G. Bouchard, 78, passed away on Wednesday, May 2, 2018, at a Houlton hospital. He was born on June 30, 1939, in Edmundston, New Brunswick, Canada, the son of John and Yvonne (Gagnon) Bouchard. His mother passed away eight days after his birth and he was raised by his uncle and aunt, Abel and Ida Bouchard.
He attended St. Mary’s Parochial School, Pleasant Street School, Lambert and Houlton High School before enlisting in the U.S. Army National Guard for four years. After that he worked for several farmers in the area, worked at the Sportwelt Shoe Company in Houlton for ten years until they closed, and worked at Houlton International Corporation for thirty three years until they closed. Shortly after that he accepted a job at the Houlton Wal*Mart and worked there for fifteen years.
In 2007 he was diagnosed with congestive heart failure and was given six months to one year to survive. Stents were put in his arteries, he changed to healthy eating habits, and stopped smoking.
He went back to Wal*Mart, and in November of 2015, he was diagnosed with pancreatic cancer. He had chemotherapy and radiation treatments and a five-hour Whipple surgery to remove the tumor. He recovered and returned to Wal*Mart after about a year. Several people called him the “Miracle Man.” His strong faith brought him through.
He was always a humble, kind, and honest man who dearly loved people. He would strike up a conversation with anyone even if he didn’t know who they were. He loved his home and his family.
He is survived by his wife of fifty-three years, Jeannette (Carmichael) Bouchard of Houlton, a son and daughter-in-law, Marty and Karen Bouchard of Houlton, a daughter and son-in-law, Bethany and Matthew Callnan of Houlton, five beloved grandchildren, Kyle Bouchard and Kolleen Bouchard of Houlton, Colby, and Cameron and Amelia Callnan of Houlton. He also leaves behind three sisters, Viola Soltesz of Portales, New Mexico, Joyce Curit of Freeport, and Margaret Shaw of Chester, and one brother, Gene Bouchard of Shelby, North Carolina.
Friends called at 10 a.m. to 12 noon on Saturday, May 5, 2018, at Dunn Funeral Home, 11 Park St., Houlton, where a funeral service was conducted at 12 noon with the Rev. Mel Norton officiating. A reception was held at the Houlton Wesleyan Church immediately following the service. Interment took place at Jewell Cemetery, Monticello. Those who wish to remember Louis in a special way may make gifts payable in his memory to the Children’s Miracle Network or the United Way Of Aroostook in c/o Dunn Funeral Home, 11 Park St., Houlton, ME 04730. Online condolences and gifts may be expressed on the Tribute Wall at: www.dunnfuneral.com
