The life of a former Biddeford deputy fire chief will be celebrated Saturday as he is laid to rest with full firefighter honors.

Marc Bellefeuille, 60, of Biddeford, died Sunday at Maine Medical Center in Portland. He began his firefighting career with the Biddeford Fire Department in 1972 and retired as deputy fire chief in 2009.

Bellefeuille, a 1969 graduate of St. Louis High School, followed his father, Leo, into firefighting. Fire Chief Joe Warren said he and Bellefeuille were hired to Biddeford’s call force on the same day in December 1972. They worked together until Bellefeuille became fire chief in Wells in 1998.

Bellefeuille returned to Biddeford in 2003 as deputy of emergency services and training. Warren said his colleague was liked and respected by firefighters in Biddeford and across the state.

“He always had a joke. I don’t think he every forgot one,” Warren said.

During his career, Bellefeuille also served 23 years as the coordinator for the Maine state weekend at the National Fire Academy.

“He was so well known and respected throughout the state,” Warren said. “There was no end to how much of himself he would give to others.”

Visiting hours are 3 to 8 p.m. Friday at Hope Memorial Chapel on Elm Street in Biddeford. A funeral  full firefighter honors will be celebrated at 10 a.m. Saturday at St. Joseph Church in Biddeford.