1925 – 2015
NORWAY — Joseph Emile Marcel Comeau, 90, of Lewiston, passed peacefully in his sleep on Tuesday, April 28.
He was born on March 30, 1925, the son of the late Otis and Aline Roy Comeau. He was educated at Holy Cross School. To his family and friends growing up, he was known as Marcel.
He joined the United States Marine Corps in October 1941 after being less than candid with the recruiter about his age. He and his brother, Bob, served in the same amphibious tractor company in the Pacific Theater during World War II. In the Marines, he became “Joe” and eventually served as a platoon sergeant in the Third Division. He saw action in several operations: Guadalcanal, Bougainville, Guam, and most notably, Iwo Jima. The Comeau brothers were both awarded the Bronze Star for gallantry in action. Many years later, one of their fellow Marines wrote, “They had love, they had respect, they did a great job in their leadership — to fight a thing called war.” He was honorably discharged in October 1945.
He was married to Lorraine Therese Landry of Lewiston from 1951 to 1977. Joe and his brothers, Gerry and Bob, ran Superior Seafood in Lewiston for a number of years. He learned carpentry and cabinet-making, the trade in which he made his living for most of his life. The treehouse and swings that he built for his children were legendary, attracting kids from all across the neighborhood.
His children have fond memories of summer days riding in the bed of his blue 1968 Chevy pickup, and days spent at Tripp and Sebago lakes, where he produced blueberry pancakes and bacon on a three-burner Coleman stove.
He lived his later years in quiet retirement in a house he built on a wooded lot in Lewiston. Much of the wood used in furniture and trim were harvested from the lot itself. He enjoyed caring for Hans, his beloved German shepherd.
Joseph is survived by one daughter, Michelle Hilliker of Lewiston; four sons, Ronald Comeau of Lewiston, Francis Comeau and wife, Janice, of San Leandro, Calif., Lawrence Comeau and Anne Morin of Auburn, Gregory Comeau and wife, Elisabeth, of Longmont, Colo.; two sisters, Lauretta Carbonneau and husband, Paul, of Lewiston, and Annette Plourde of Birmingham, Ala.; 11 grandchildren; and three great-grandchildren; and his companion of many years, Lise Sasseville.
He was predeceased by two sisters, Florence St. Hilaire and Lucille Comeau; also four brothers, Gerald, Laureat, Robert and Raymond Comeau.
Online condolences at www.thefortingrouplewiston.com.
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