Maine Veteran to be remembered

Gilbert Peter Levesque Sr. OAKLAND -- Gilbert Peter Levesque Sr., 59, died Tuesday, June 27, 2006, unexpectedly at his residence.

He was born in Waterville on June 18, 1947, the son of Joseph and Jeannette (Lachance) Levesque.

Gilbert was educated in Waterville schools and graduated from Waterville High School. He was a member of Notre Dame Catholic Church. Gil served his country in Vietnam as a Marine Corps combat infantryman. Gil will be sadly missed by so many, who loved him for his kind lion's heart and jovial spirit. Gil was a very loving husband to his wife, Maryann, who was the light of his life; she was his everything. As for his very close friends and confidants, Hank "bookend" von Husen and Al Michaud "the book," they will forever carry with them the memory of a fiercely loyal and generous friend. Gil had a very special friend, who brought so much joy and comfort to his life, his little dog, Lady. A life member and very dedicated to the Waterville VFW, he acted as Judge Advocate for the state of Maine VFW Organization and was also a member of the Oakland American Legion. He enjoyed hunting and fishing at his camp. Gilbert took pride in being the oldest of 10 children.

Surviving are his wife, Maryann (McDonald) Levesque of Oakland; four children, John Levesque and his wife, Bobbi Jo, of Oakland, Gilbert Levesque Jr. and his wife, Cheryl, of Sidney, Tyler Levesque and his fiancŽ, Amanda, of Albion, and Mary Levesque and her significant other, Leo Roy, of Kenduskeag; nine brothers and sisters, Dan Levesque and his wife, Janet, of Augusta, Sandra Mosher and her husband, Dale, of Missouri, Nancy Levesque and her husband, Ray, of Portland, Mary George and her husband, Peter, of Waterville, David Levesque and his significant other, Linda Bolduc, of South China, Tommy Levesque and his wife, Marilyn, of South China, Mark Levesque and his wife, Beth, of Fairfield, Jennifer Audet and her husband, Ken, of Waterville, and Jessica Bizier and her significant other, Allan Cobb, of Wilton; eight grandchildren, several nieces and nephews; and a dear friend, Hank von Husen.

At the family's request, there will be no visiting hours. A funeral Mass will be held at 11 a.m. Thursday, July 6, at Notre Dame Catholic Church, Waterville. Burial will follow in the new Maine Veterans Memorial Cemetery, Mount Vernon Avenue, Augusta.

In lieu of flowers the family requests that donations in Gil's memory be made to his wife Maryann at 17 Rossignol Ave., Oakland, ME 04963.

I wanted to let everyone know who believed in what the vets did on Memorial Day eve here in the small town of Waterville Maine that one of the men who was arrested that night has passed on to be with his fallen commrades. Please note that the obituary states that in lieu of flowers the family asks that donations be sent to the widow, I humbly and personally ask that if you are able to contribute to her survival to do so. Maryann has a medical condition and may have to have full time assistance in the home now that Gil is gone. I also want to share with you that I personally knew Gil and he was a great man who not only was there for his friends and VFW members as well as his family but he also played santa at the VFW christmas party for the children. He will be sadly missed by all who knew him.

For those unfamiliar with the Memorial Day incident, perhaps you have a link or can give us more details? I assume what the vets did was a good, and not a bad, thing.

Some very good men have been members of the Oakland VFW.

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