Robert R. Heroux

Robert R. (Lambert) Heroux, 70, died Friday, March 25, 2011, at his home in Sanford after an illness with lung cancer.

He was born Nov. 4, 1940, was a Biddeford High School graduate and engaged to Betty Lakeman.

Mr. Heroux was employed by Lambert’s Furniture in Biddeford, a family business. He was the lead singer of the Country Gents and other bands, including Impala, and was known on stage as “Mr. Bob.” He enjoyed karaoke singing and won many trophies.

Survivors include three sons and two daughters, Tim Lambert, Tom Lambert, Scott Lambert, Ellen Larson and Tina Matherly; 10 grandchildren, eight great-grandchildren, five brothers and two sisters.

Arrangements were by Direct Cremation of Maine in Belfast.

Raymond P. Christensen

Raymond “Mr. C” Paul Christensen Sr., 86, of Biddeford, died Thursday, March 24, 2011, after many years of health problems.

He was born April 26, 1924, in Hartford, Conn., to the late Walter and Agnes (Cartier) Christensen Sr. He attended Connecticut schools and graduated from Wethersfield High School, where he was the Connecticut high jump champion four years in a row.

After completing high school, he passed up an opportunity to try out for the U.S. Olympics high jump team to enlist in the U.S. Marine Corps.

During his time as a Marine, he saw active combat duty in the Pacific Theater of Operations, including the island of Saipan, Tinian. Later, during the Korean War, he served his country as a Marine drill instructor at Paris Island, N.C.

With the help of Sen. Susan Collins, he received recognition of his wartime service in 2003. At a ceremony in his home with a Marine Corps honor guard, family and friends, he was presented the World War II Victory Medal, American Campaign Medal, Asiatic Pacific Campaign Medal with Bronze Star and National Defense Service Medal.

During his military service, he met and fell in love with Betty E. Anderson at a Marine dance. They were married in 1949, in between his two tours of duty.

After he completed his military service, Mr. Christensen began working at Metzger’s Lamps & Lighting in West Hartford with his late aunt and uncle, Ejna and Clarence Metzger. Later, he became the owner of Metzger’s. He and his family vacationed at Fortunes Rocks every year and in 1989 the couple retired to Maine.

Mr. Christensen was an avid duck carver, golfer, fisherman and made many crafts.

He was preceded in death by his wife of nearly 50 years in 1997, Betty E. (Anderson) Christensen; and his sister, Theresa Brensinger.

Survivors include his daughter, Candace “Candy”  Christensen of Biddeford; his son, Raymond P. Christensen Jr. and his  daughter of West Hartford, Conn.; his brother, Walter Christensen Jr. and family of Palm Beach, Fla.; his brother-in-law, Robert Anderson and family of Sunnyvale, Calif.; and his sister-in-law, Linda Anderson-McCoy of Florida.

Arrangements were by Hope Memorial Chapel, Biddeford.

Matthew D. Tushin

Matthew Dennis Tushin, 41, died unexpectedly Wednesday, March 23, 2011.

He was born July 8, 1969, in Needham, Mass., to Donald L. and Virginia E. (Gardner) Tushin. He attended local schools and was a 1987 Biddeford High School graduate and graduated in 1994 from Plymouth State College.

Mr. Tushin was employed by Kennebunkport Consolidated School Regional School Unit 21, which serves Kennebunk, Kennebunkport and Arundel. He worked as a physical education teacher and also a teacher for special needs children for the past 12 years. He also had worked a second job for the past two years at Shaw’s Distribution Center in Wells doing stocking and loading. He previously had worked at Breakwater School in Portland for three years and St. James School in Biddeford for six years.

He was a member of the Biddeford/Saco Country Club, a coach at Kennebunk Middle School and Kennebunk High School and was a soccer and lacrosse referee in York and Cumberland counties.

His greatest joy was spending time with his children and stepchildren and attending their activities.

Mr. Tushin loved golfing and was an avid fan of the Red Sox, Patriots, Celtics and Bruins. He also enjoyed cooking, the outdoors, camping in and around Sebago Lake State Park and touring wine trails for wine tastings.

He was preceded in death by his mother, Virginia (Gardner) Tushin.

Survivors include two daughters, Melinda Charest of Biddeford and Elyse Tushin of Kennebunkport; one son, Jack Tushin of Kennebunkport; his father, Donald L. Tushin of Peabody, Mass.; one brother, Mark Tushin of Somersworth, N.H.; one sister, Melinda Cushman of New York; Tracy Dutremble, his companion of six years, and her children Austin and Morgan Dutremble, all of Saco.

Arrangements were by Hope Memorial Chapel, Biddeford.

Maurice J. Legare

Maurice J. Legare, 89, formerly of Biddeford and Saco, died Wednesday, March 23, 2011, at Maine Veterans’ Home in Scarborough after a long illness.

He was born June 30, 1921, in Biddeford to Edward and Phoebe Danis Legare. He was educated in Biddeford schools and was a 1941 graduate of the former St. Louis High School.

On Sept. 27, 1952, he married Madeleine Dubois at St. Joseph Church. She died Sept. 26, 1999.

Mr. Legare worked more than 35 years at Saco-Lowell Shops and Maremont Corp. in Saco and retired in 1986.

He enjoyed horseracing.

He was preceded in death by three brothers, Theode, Armand and Roger Legare; and three sisters, Marie Claire Farrell, Rita Turcotte and Juliette Hebert.

He is survived by several nieces and nephews.

Arrangements were by Hope Memorial Chapel, Biddeford.

Edmund F. Parker

Edmund F. Parker, 86, of Ocean Park, died Sunday, March 20, 2011, at Gosnell Memorial Hospice House in Scarborough.

He was born June 14, 1924, in Pownal, Vt., to Frank and Rose (Stone) Parker.

Mr. Parker in the U.S. Navy during World War II on the USS McCook and took part in many critical battles, including the D-Day Normandy invasion.

He worked for many years at CYRO Industries in Sanford and was a member of United Baptist Church in Saco.

Survivors include his wife, Audrey Jackson, many family members and friends.

Arrangements were by Dennett, Craig & Pate Funeral Home, Saco.