Robert S. Shuris

Robert S. “Bob” Shuris, 81, of Kennebunkport died Monday, Feb. 1, 2010, at Maine Medical Center in Portland after falling ill.

He was born in Cleveland, Ohio, on Dec. 18, 1928, to Neil and Grace (Becker) Shuris.  He grew up in Cleveland, where he attended Case Western Reserve University. 

On April 18 1953, he married Elizabeth Lou “Betty” Mory.

Following a tour of duty in the U.S. Navy, he returned to school and graduated from Purdue University with a bachelor’s degree in metallurgical engineering.  After moving to New Jersey, he worked for the Curtis-Wright Co. as a metallurgical engineer for 14 years.

  In 1967, he and his wife moved to Maine, where he became the plant manager at the former Sprague Electric in Sanford.  After Sprague closed, he and his wife bought Daly Bros. Bedding Co. in Biddeford.  He remained active in the business, along with Mrs. Shuris and their son, Donald, until becoming ill. 

Mr. Shuris served on the board of directors at Southern Maine Medical Center for 13 years and became president of the board.

His passion in life was sailing and the sea.  Along with sailing the coast of Maine, his and his wife sailed the Caribbean each January, where he also enjoyed scuba diving and underwater photography.  He also was interested in geology and made several trips to explore and study the western United States, which included rafting the Grand Canyon.

Survivors include his wife, Betty Lou, of Kennebunkport; two sons, Robert L. Shuris and his wife, Becky, of Colorado and Donald Shuris of Kennebunk; his sister, Jean Streight of Florida; two grandchildren, Neal and Evan Shuris, and their mother, Marianne Tozier of Kennebunk.

A memorial service was Feb. 8 at Bibber Memorial Chapel, 67 Summer St., Kennebunk.  His ashes will be scattered in the Caribbean.

The family encourages memorial donations in his memory to Southern Maine Medical Center, Development Office, 1 Medical Center Drive, Biddeford, ME 04005.

Bibber Memorial Chapel handled arrangements.

Darrell E. Amsden Sr.

Darrell E. Amsden Sr., 75, of Old Orchard Beach, died Sunday, Feb. 14, 2010, at Gosnell Memorial Hospice following a brief illness.

 He was born June 4, 1934, in Caribou to Elmer Vincent and Beatrice (Tapley) Amsden and began his education in Fort Fairfield schools. 

He came to this area as a child and graduated from Old Orchard Beach High School in 1952. Mr. Amsden served in the U.S. Marine Corps.

He was employed by Boston & Maine Railroad at the Rigby Yard in South Portland for 20 years, and retired in 1986 due to illness.

Mr. Amsden was formerly a member of the Old Orchard Beach VFW. He enjoyed hunting and participating in family activities. He had a great interest in and passion for American eagles.

He was preceded in death by four siblings, Ronald, Donald, Gary and Beverly.

Survivors include his son, Darrell E. Amsden Jr. and his wife, Melissa, of Biddeford; two stepsons,  Bruce Edgecomb and his wife, Patricia, of Alfred and Ralph Edgecomb and his wife, Brenda, of Fort Valley, Ga.; his stepdaughter, Diane Jenks and her fiancé, Tim Keenan, of Harrison; three grandchildren, Bryana, Kaitlyn and Brennan Amsden; seven step-grandchildren, Erica Edgecomb, Barbra and Gary Lank, Kyle and Cord Edgecomb and Chris and Josh Chouinard; four step great-grandchildren, Lily, Sebastian, Kayla and Jersey; and a fifth great-grandchild expected to be born this month.

A funeral service was Wednesday at Hope Memorial Chapel, Biddeford, with burial in Laurel Hill Cemetery in Saco.

Arrangements were by Hope Memorial Chapel.

John C. Duranceau

John C. Duranceau, 48, of Saco, died unexpectedly Wednesday, Feb. 10, 2010, at Southern Maine Medical Center.

He was born Oct. 28, 1961, in Falmouth, Mass., to Joseph and Patricia M. (Carroll) Duranceau and moved to this area as a teenager.

He graduated from Biddeford High School in 1980 and continued his education at the University of Maine in Orono, where he received his bachelor’s degree in business administration in 1985.

On May 22, 1987, he married Lynn M. Boudreau at St. Joseph Church in Biddeford.

Mr. Duranceau was employed by Northwestern Mutual Financial Network in Saco for more than 25 years, where he was a financial planner and wealth management adviser. He earned numerous awards, including the Long-Term Care Leader Award in 2009. He was a five-time member of the Million Dollar Roundtable, and 14-time recipient of the National Quality Award.

He was a member of Most Holy Trinity Church, Dunegrass Country Club and a former member of Saco Bay Rotary. He enjoyed family time, whether it was coaching his children’s sports teams, following their sporting endeavors and activities, or vacationing in the Caribbean.  He also was an avid golfer and basketball enthusiast.

Survivors include his wife of more than 22 years, Lynn M. Duranceau; his son, Bradford J. Duranceau; his daughter, Taylor L. Duranceau, all of Saco; his mother: Patricia M. Duranceau of Biddeford; his brother, Brian Duranceau of Biddeford; three sisters, Mary Spang and her husband, Michael, of Kennebunkport and Catherine and Pamela Duranceau of Saco; six nieces and nephews and one great-nephew.

A Mass of Christian burial was celebrated Monday at Most Holy Trinity Church of the Good Shepherd Parish in Saco, with entombment in Laurel Hill Cemetery, Saco.

 In lieu of flowers, donations in Mr. Duranceau’s memory may be made to the John Carroll Duranceau Scholarship Fund, c/o Saco & Biddeford Savings Institution, attention Marc Gagnon, 50 Industrial Park Road, Saco, ME 04072.

Arrangements were by Hope Memorial Chapel, Biddeford.

 Marie P. Letellier

Marie P. Letellier, 90, of Biddeford, died Monday, Feb. 8, 2010, at Kennebunk Nursing Center.

She was born April 5, 1919, in St. Bernard, Quebec, to Joseph and Desneiges (Delisle) Paradis, and was educated in Canada.

On July 14, 1945, she married Joseph G. Letellier in Drummondville, Quebec, and moved to this area in October 1947. 

Mrs. Letellier was employed by Pepperell Manufacturing Co. and then at Biddeford Textile Co. for 37 years until she retired in 1984.

She was a member of St. Andre Church and enjoyed gardening, sewing patchwork quilts and going to yard sales.

She was preceded in death by her husband on July 12, 1988.

Survivors include her daughter, Carmen Roberge and her husband, Mark, of Biddeford; four sons, Andre Letellier of Gorham, John Letellier of Biddeford, Denis Letellier and his wife, Mary, of Biddeford, and Gerard Letellier of Biddeford; seven grandchildren and 11 great-grandchildren.

A funeral service was Friday at Hope Memorial Chapel with burial in St. Mary Cemetery in Biddeford.

 In lieu of flowers, the family suggests donations in Mrs. Letellier’s memory be made to Beacon Hospice Inc., 42 Brickyard Court, York, ME 03909.

Arrangements were by Hope Memorial Chapel, Biddeford.

Norman P. Bourgault

Norman P. Bourgault, 60, of Biddeford, died Tuesday, Feb. 9, 2010, at Maine Veterans Hospital in Togus.

He was born Aug. 23, 1949, in Saco to Eugene and Blanche (Menard) Bourgault and attended Biddeford schools.

Mr. Bourgault served with the U.S. Army during the Vietnam War. On March 8, 2002, he married Yvonne Gailloux in New Jersey.

Mr. Bourgault was first employed by Allied Shoe, and after his service in Vietnam as a diesel mechanic for Claude Dubois.

He most recently owned and operated his own vacuum cleaner business.

He was a trustee at Amvets Post 1 and also was past commander. He belonged to the Veterans of Foreign Wars at Togus and – when he was in good health – enjoyed traveling.

Survivors include his wife, Yvonne Bourgault of Biddeford; three stepchildren, Carl Morin and Marco Morin, both of Kennebunk, and Stephane Morin of Pueblo, Colo.; six stepgrandchildren; a sister, Jean Gagne and her husband, Marcel, of Biddeford; two brothers, Eugene Bourgault of Windham and Renald “Red” (Rapid Ray) Bourgault and his wife, Rollande, of Saco; and several nieces and nephews.

A funeral service was Saturday at Hope Memorial Chapel, with burial in St. Joseph Cemetery in Biddeford.

In lieu of flowers, donations in his memory may be made to AMVETS Post 1, 147 Alfred St., Biddeford, ME 04005.

Arrangements were by Hope Memorial Chapel, Biddeford.