LEWISTON — Edward A. Leveque, 95, of Lewiston, died Thursday, Dec. 28, at St. Mary’s Regional Medical Center.
He was born in Lewiston on Oct. 15, 1922, the son of Emile and Regina Lajoie Leveque. Educated locally, he was a graduate from Lewiston High School, Class of ’40. A veteran of World War II, he joined the U.S. Army in 1941 and was assigned to Officer Candidate School, ultimately graduating from the University of South Dakota. He spent more than four years as a medical corps supply officer in St. Louis.
After the war, he served in the Army Reserve, retiring in 1962 at the rank of major. He began working at Jimmy’s Inc. in Auburn in 1946 and purchased the business upon the death of the original owner, James T. LaRue, in 1969. The business eventually operated 11 gas stations, a heating oil storage and delivery service and two restaurants. Ed remained the owner until 1981.
He married the love of his life, Cecile G. Rivard on Sept. 25, 1954. She was a loving caretaker through her extended battle with cancer prior to her death. He was always very active in his church and community, serving on several local boards including St. Mary’s RMC and St. Peter’s Cemetery, where he also served for two and a half years as cemetery director. He provided significant leadership to the restoration of Saints Peter and Paul Basilica. He was also instrumental in the founding of Tri-County Mental Health Services. Ed was a long-standing member of the Lewiston-Auburn Rotary Club and was honored with the Paul Harris Fellow award, their highest honor for community service. Until very recently, he was an active member of the Service Corps of Retired Executives and received special recognition from the SBA for his 33 years of volunteer service. His motto was “actions speak louder than words” and his numerous contributions to the community truly embodied this belief and his generosity.
He is survived by his one son, Robert Leveque, and his wife Anne of Lewiston, one daughter Diane Leveque of Lewiston, five grandchildren, Sarah and Alison Leveque, Alexander, Mason, and Andrew Gates.
Besides his parents, he was predeceased by his wife, Cecile, who passed away in 1979, a brother, Theodore Leveque, and a sister, Diane Leveque Giguere.
Donations, condolences, and a video tribute may be found online at www.albert-burpee.com.
Edward A. Levesque
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