My dad taught me many useful things: how to perfectly balance a paper cup full of water on the top of an open door; how to cook and flip a giant hamburger over a campfire; how to yodel; and how to sing the Hank Williams song “Your Cheatin’ Heart” in a lonesome, twangy cowboy voice. He also taught me how to tell a good story.
Curious to know what others have learned from their dads, we asked, and received a generous outpouring of responses. If we had been able to include them all for this feature, we could have filled pages and pages with messages that all came straight from the heart.
Dad, here’s to you.
Roland Durgin: ‘He’s one of the best I know’
Roland Durgin of Harrison, middle, with, left to right, top row: wife Brenda, Andrea and Tiffany Durgin, and Robin Toothaker; front row, left to right: grandchildren Steven Toothaker, Lilly-Mae Cox, Monica Bernier and Nickolas Mackenzie.
Robin Toothaker of Harrison explained, “I use the term ‘stepfather’ loosely as I don’t consider my stepfather to be ‘step.’ I was 12 when he got together with our mom and he already had five daughters, but he stepped up and loved me and my sister like his own!
“He taught us a strong work ethic, how to hunt and fish, and to take care of ourselves if there comes a time we need to live off the land to survive. He’s one of the best I know — an amazing father and grandfather/papa. I wouldn’t be who I am today without him.”
John Clark Jr.: He ‘taught us about what love is’
John Clark Jr. of Farmingdale and partner Mary King win big at Bingo.
Bonnie Washuk of Portland remembers how her father, John Clark Jr., taught her how to drive not just any car, but a Falcon standard. “It had a tough clutch, but he was patient!
“He also taught me the value of work. ‘You’ve got to earn your keep,’ he’d say.
“He also taught me by example how to sacrifice and that your family comes before you.
“And my father taught us about what love is. After Mom had a stroke at age 70, Dad took care of her at home. When she died three years later, he said caring for her ‘was a privilege.’”
Ralph W. Littlefield: ‘A keen eye for beauty’
Ralph W. Littlefield on his Lisbon farm.
Daughters Ella Mae Packard, Glenys F. Gardner, and Lucy A. Couture of Lisbon are sure people in the area will remember their late father, Ralph W. Littlefield, as a farmer, gravel contractor, and sawmill operator. Busy as that work kept him, he managed to enjoy his favorite hobby of woodworking.
The sisters recalled that their father learned this skill in “manual training” classes at Lisbon High School. “He used his carpentry know-how to construct a home and several out-buildings at the farm, but in his free time he loved to putter in his wood shop.
“Over the years our dad made numerous items of furniture for the family as well as small projects of his own design. He loved to gift such projects as his personal gesture of creativity. With a keen eye for beauty, he made boxes, lamps, toy chests, stools, benches, picture frames, etc., most of which we still own and treasure. Almost all were made of lumber he cut and milled himself at the farm. We three sisters were inspired to learn woodworking skills ourselves and now have small workshops of our own to create and explore the joys of working with wood.”
Raynauld Beaucage: ‘There was never a better example’
Raynauld Beaucage of Lewiston was a member of the “Greatest Generation.”
Leo Beaucage of Lewiston, said, “Dad was born in 1919 in Lewiston, the eldest of three children. Unfortunately, his father died when he was a child so he took his role seriously of being ‘man of the house,’ watching over his mother and sisters all their lives. He was proud of his military career and regaled us with stories.
“Dad was a positive person who never had a bad word to say about anyone, was quick to lend a hand, and was extremely clever. He was a religious man and not boastful or showy. He never owned a new car and that was fine with him.
“He built his own home and it was filled with love. He was married to the love of his life for over 70 years, and a man never treated his wife with more kindness and respect.
“He was on this earth for 99 years and there was never a better example of a husband, father, grandfather, or great-grandfather.”
Gerald Lamiette, Jr.: Sweet lemonade memories
Gerry Lamiette Jr. of Auburn with baby Kirsten.
Kirsten Burns of Auburn remembers her dad, Gerald “Gerry” Lamiette Jr. who passed away suddenly in 2006 when she was a sophomore in high school.
Born and raised in Auburn, he was a 1979 graduate of Edward Little High School and was the father of three. At the time of his death, Gerry had been a Lewiston firefighter for 18 years.
Kirsten gave a short and sweet example of what her dad taught her, but it says so much. “He taught me to always have quarters in my car for little kids’ lemonade stands. If he passed one, he always turned around and went back to buy a cup.”
Don Fournier: ‘Unconditional love’
Don Fournier of Avon and Sabattus stands with his grandsons Evan and Owen at Androscoggin Riverlands State Park in 2018.
Ryan Michaud of Greene has a different last name than his dad, Don Fournier. That’s because Don is not Ryan’s biological father. He married Ryan’s mother just shy of Ryan turning 13 months old.
Ryan wrote, “My dad has been, by far, the greatest influence in my life and has accepted me from the very beginning. I have two brothers who are my dad’s biological sons, one a little over a year older and the other about three years younger. Growing up, the only way anyone would have ever known I wasn’t a Fournier was by the name on the back of my baseball uniform. It has been a running joke in the family that I’m the most Fournier out of the three brothers despite not having an ounce of Fournier blood.
“As a child I never appreciated what that meant, but as I’ve grown older and have boys of my own, I couldn’t think of a greater compliment than hearing someone say I’m like my dad. He’s a hardworking man who consistently puts the needs of his family and others before his own, spending years as a volunteer firefighter, veterans advocate, volunteer youth sports coach, and president of the Sabattus Rec Club.
He devoted himself to guiding his sons through early adulthood and helped us navigate our own fatherhood. I cannot express how appreciative I am for my dad and the example he set for me.
“He has shown me unconditional love throughout my life and has never made me feel like anything less than his son. As a father myself now, I strive to be the man and father for my boys that he has always been to me.”
David McFarland: Offering ‘timely’ lessons
David McFarland of East Boothbay with daughter Angel Marie Haycock.
Angel Marie Haycock of Auburn wrote about her father David McFarland: “Dad taught me to stop asking what time it is by repeatedly saying, ‘I don’t know. Why don’t you wear a watch?’ (I still don’t wear one, Dad.)
“He also taught me that life happens. We have bad days, friends and loved ones will come and go, and the people I love will someday die, maybe even unexpectedly, but the world won’t stop while I grieve. It will keep going, so I better not sit around crying about it too much, or I might just miss my train.”
Leo Jolin: ‘Found a way to make me feel special’
A young Leo Jolin III stands with his dad Leo Jolin Jr. of Rumford and grandfather Leo Jolin Sr. (also known as Buster) in this photo from the past.
Leo Jolin III was searching for a special way to capture his appreciation for his dad and thought sharing his story might be just the thing.
“My dad is a 24-year National Guard vet. When he left for camp, he would tell me I was the man of the house and wanted me to be sure my mom and sister were protected. He always made me feel proud that he was in the Army!
“He was also a state worker, plowing the roads before moving into a local nearby town, where for the past 15 years he’s done the same. He was a volunteer firefighter for many years, too, also adding an element of heroism in my eyes.
“He’s taught me many things in life without him even knowing and it’s those things I’ll forever be thankful for. He was the working man, one that did anything to provide for his family and make sure that all of us had a good life.
“He taught me that no matter how hard times get, family will always be there no matter what. Although not a man of many words, he always found a way to make me feel special. For example, during double sessions in my senior year of high school, there was a note every morning about persevering and how all the hard work was going to pay off.
“When I competed in a carpentry competition, I opened my toolbox and there was another note from Dad, telling me how proud he was and to put my mind to it. He knew I could do it!
“Our time over the last few years has been even more special. I have a stepson of my own now and I’m putting all life’s lessons Dad taught me to good use and I have him as a sounding board about manly things. Enjoying a beverage by the campfire and rising early to hit the lake for a morning of fishing while watching the sunrise are memories that will last forever.”
Dick Bodemer: ‘A giant among men’
Dad Dick Bodemer makes another memory.
Sisters Deanne Bodemer of Bryant Pond and Denise Green of Wayne wrote this about their father, Dick Bodemer of Andover: “Dad has been the foundation of our family. He has taught his three children solid life skills, especially those needed to survive on our own and be independent. He taught us about financial security (he retired after 30 years with Prudential), car maintenance skills, outdoor skills, and the value of cherished family vacations.
“Dad also taught us work ethics and to be genuine, respectful, and kind, showing by example. Some of Dad’s sayings are: “Treat others as you would want to be treated; the early bird gets the worm; why put off to tomorrow what you can do today; if you’re going to do it, do it right the first time; and work hard so you can play hard!” He also taught us the honorable traits of keeping our word and going that extra mile for others.
“He’s a jack-of-all-trades, a counselor and best friend, a storyteller and a maker of memories, a comforter in tough times, and a giant among men!”
Writer and editor Karen Schneider has been a regular contributor to the Lewiston Sun Journal for over 24 years. Contact her at iwrite33@comcast.net with your ideas and comments.
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