Claire Lacroix, 86, of Saco, died surrounded by family and friends Sunday, April 3, 2011, at Southridge Living Center in Biddeford.

Claire Anita (Bisson) Lacroix was born Nov. 26, 1924, in Biddeford to Marie Reine “Irene” Dubuc and Adelard Francis Bisson.

She graduated in 1944 as valedictorian of St. Joseph High School in Biddeford. Through her final years she continued to enjoy regular get-togethers and reunions with her classmates. While in high school she was awarded one of the top prizes in a contest sponsored by the French Embassy for American and Canadian high schools and colleges where French was taught.

During World War II she was one of the first women to work in appliance retail sales in a nearly all-male field.

For most of her career she was an office manager at Notre Dame Hospital, Webber Hospital, St. Louis Child Care Center and Camp Fire Girls and Boys. As part of her love for young people, she taught high school-level Sunday school classes at St. Margart Parish in Old Orchard Beach and was active in the Catholic Youth Organization and Parent Teachers Association of Old Orchard Beach schools.

After her retirement she volunteered for some two decades at the hospice Books Revisited stores in Biddeford and Old Orchard Beach. She was also active in many other local organizations and was past president of AARP Chapter 426 and the Ladies Auxiliary of St. Margaret Church in Old Orchard Beach. She was a communicant at St. Margaret as well as at Most Holy Trinity in Saco.

She loved to write, mostly on religious, self-help and paranormal topics, and enjoyed some publication success as a short story mystery writer. She was an avid reader of history, political, self-help and self-improvement books and enjoyed playing cards, Scrabble and sweepstakes, Bible study and ESP research studies.

She was most proud of her two sons, Gil and Roger, whom she raised as a single parent to appreciate simple joys of life, especially the joy of learning. She was also very proud of her grandchildren, who brought her great joy.

Survivors include her sister, Gertrude Bisson of Biddeford; two sons, Gilbert and his wife, Lynn Bonsey, of Bucksport and Roger and his partner, Mary Snowman, of Lancaster, N.H.; four grandchildren, two step-grandchildren and four great-grandchildren.

Arrangements were by Cote Funeral Home, Saco.

Herbert J. Aguiar

Herbert J. Aguiar, 92, of Biddeford, died Saturday, April 2, 2011, at Maine Veterans’ Home in Scarborough.

He was born Jan. 5, 1919, in Lowell, Mass., to Joseph and Olivia Damus Aguiar. He was educated in Biddeford schools.

Mr. Aguiar worked five years at Pepperell Manufacturing Co. in Biddeford.

On Oct. 26, 1940, he married Althea A. Bennett at St. Ignatius Church in Sanford. She died on Nov.13, 2002.

He then worked two years at New England Shipbuilding Co. in South Portland before enlisting in the U.S. Navy during World War II.

After the war he was self-employed doing business as Prudential Coal Co. in Beacon, N.Y. He later returned to Biddeford where he worked several years at Bates Manufacturing Co. in Saco. In 1957 he began work for three years at Alloy Products Co. in Sanford. He last worked 20 years as a quality assurance representative for the federal government in Saco, South Portland, Manchester, N.H., Boston and Pittsfield, Mass. He retired in 1981.

Mr. Aguiar was a member of the Old Orchard Beach Country Club and local singing choruses. He enjoyed playing golf, bowling, dancing, music and the Big Band sound.

He was preceded in death by two brothers, Larry and Dan Aguiar; and three sisters, Hazel Aguiar, Ethel Fournier and Irene Avello.

Survivors include his adopted daughter, Dorothy Ouellette, and her husband, Norman, of Scarborough; and eight nieces and nephews.

Arrangements were by Hope Memorial Chapel, Biddeford.

Gracie L. Brown

Gracie L. Brown, 48,  of  Saco, died Saturday, April 2, 2011, at Gosnell Memorial Hospice House in Scarborough.

She was born July 8, 1962, in Biddeford to Paul and Loretta Bouchard Nichols. She was educated at Thornton Academy in Saco.

She was employed as a certified nurse’s assistant for 15 years in home care and at several nursing homes.

She enjoyed the beach, dancing, music and loved to make people laugh.

Survivors include her parents, Paul and Loretta Nichols of Saco; one son, Justin, of Seattle, Wash.; two daughters, Amanda of Saco and Maggie of Bangor; her sister Paula and her husband, Mark, of Gilbert, Ariz.; two nephews and one niece.

Arrangements were by Cote Funeral Home, Saco.

June E. Martel

June E. Martel, 66, of Saco, died Saturday, April 2, 2011, at Southern Maine Medical Center in Biddeford.

She was born Sept. 13, 1944, in Kennebunk to Norman and Barbara Huff Stackpole. She was a 1962 Kennebunk High School graduate.

On Jan. 18, 1964, she married Al Martel. She was a homemaker who loved raising her family.

Mrs. Martel enjoyed camping and hand-feeding squirrels, going to yard sales, watching NASCAR, making puzzles, playing cards and board games. Every Thursday and Friday she helped distribute food for the Saco Food Pantry.   

Survivors include her husband of 47 years, Al Martel of Saco; two sons, Edmond N. Martel and Thomas M. Martel, both of Saco; one daughter, Barbara G. Adams and her husband, Jim, of Windham; two brothers, Chet Stackpole and his wife, Lulu, and Ronnie Stackpole and his wife, Donna, all of Kennebunk; five sisters, Norma Martel of Biddeford, Mona Lemelin and her husband, Gene, of Arundel, Gerry Bucklin and her husband, Rod, of Waterboro, Chipper Duncan and her husband, Bob, of Hawaii and Becky Tufts of Florida; six grandchildren and several nieces and nephews.

Arrangements were by Cote Funeral Home, Saco.

Simonne S. Labonte

Simonne S. Labonte, 78, of Biddeford, died Friday, April 1, 2011, at St. Marguerite d’Youville Pavilion in Lewiston.

She was born Sept. 26, 1932, to Simeon and Anna Cyr Forcier and was educated in Biddeford schools.

On Sept. 10, 1955, she married Adrien R. Labonte at St. Andre Church in Biddeford. He died March 15, 2008.

Mrs. Labonte worked 31 years at Doran’s Pharmacy in Biddeford, 15 years part-time at Paul & Ray’s Catering Service in Biddeford and nine years at Youland’s Jewelry Store in Biddeford. She retired in 1993.

She enjoyed playing cards and beano, singing at family gatherings and spending time with family and friends.

Survivors include her daughter, Valerie Bouthot of Lewiston; three brothers, Ben Forcier and his wife, Stella, of Biddeford, Gerard Forcier of Biddeford and Robert “Fuzzy” Forcier and his wife, Francoise, of Yorktown, Va.; two sisters, Lucille Miguiese of Biddeford and Violette Mercier and her husband, Leo, of Biddeford; two grandchildren and several nieces and nephews.

Arrangements were by Hope Memorial Chapel, Biddeford.

Simonne Marchand

Simonne P. Marchand, 90, of Biddeford died Friday, April 1, 2011, at Southridge Living Center in Biddeford.

She was born July 23, 1920, in Biddeford to Norbert and Rosilda Larochelle Beaudoin and was educated in Biddeford schools.

On Feb. 14, 1938, she married Amedee J. Marchand at St. Andre Church in Biddeford. He died Aug. 9, 2005.

Mrs. Marchand worked more than 40 years in area shoe shops and more than 10 years at Shape Inc. in Biddeford. She retired in 1980.

She was a member of Biddeford Senior Citizens and enjoyed knitting, playing cards, doing puzzles, word searches and playing solitaire on her computer.

She was preceded in death by three sisters.

Survivors include three daughters, Joan C. Remillard and her husband, Richard, of Old Orchard Beach, Carmen A. Doliber and her husband, Fred, of Arundel, and Helen Y. Thomas of Saco; one son, Donald P. Marchand and his wife, Claire, of Biddeford; one brother, Lorenzo Beaudoin and his wife, Germaine, of Saco; 11 grandchildren, 28 great-grandchildren; seven great-great-grandchildren; and several nieces and nephews.

Arrangements were by Hope Memorial Chapel, Biddeford.

Ian G. Sturgeon

Ian G. Sturgeon, 83, of Old Orchard Beach, died Thursday, March 31, 2011, at Southern Maine Medical Center in Biddeford following a brief illness.

He was born March 24, 1928, in Blackville, New Brunswick, Canada, to Roy and Jennie (Corney) Sturgeon. He moved to the South Portland area as a teenager and was a 1946 South Portland High School graduate.

On June 5, 1948, he married Carolyn J. Luce at Williston-West Church in Portland. After 52 years of marriage, she died Sept. 10, 2000.

Mr. Sturgeon last worked for several years as a cashier at Radley’s Market in Old Orchard Beach. He previously worked five years at Portland’s Springer’s Jewelers; more than 10 years at the former Service Merchandise in Portland, Brunswick and New Hampshire; and several years at the former Foden’s Department Store in South Portland.

He was a member, former president and former board of trustee of the Woodfords Club in Portland for many years. He also was involved in The Portland Players community theater and volunteered with the United States Power Squadrons to teach safe boating.

Mr. Sturgeon enjoyed bowling with his friends at The Big 20 and loved photography. He always looked forward to monthly family gatherings, especially football weekends with his children and grandchildren.

He was preceded in death by his wife of 52 years, Carolyn J. Sturgeon, and brothers Robert K. and David T. Sturgeon.

Survivors include three children, Ian G. Sturgeon of Albuquerque, N.M., Richard M. Sturgeon of Old Orchard Beach and Debra J. Bovill of Standish; one brother, Guy Sturgeon and his wife, Joanne, of Lynnfield, Mass.; one sister-in-law, Lucie Sturgeon of Charlesbourg, Quebec, Canada; four grandchildren, four great-grandchildren and several nieces and nephews.

Arrangements were by Hope Memorial Chapel, Biddeford.

Alice D. Mahar

Alice D. Mahar, 91, of Biddeford, died Thursday, March 31, 2011, at her home.

She was born July 21, 1919, in Island Pond, Vt., to Arthur and Olivine Pelletier Goulet.  She moved to Rumford as a child and was educated there.

On Jan. 25, 1937, she married Raymond P. Mahar at St. Benedict Church in Rumford.

Mrs. Mahar was employed by Dixfield Mill for three years before moving in 1942 to Biddeford, where she worked at John Roberts Manufacturing from 1952 to 1960. She retired to help care for her grandchildren and great-grandchildren.

She had been a member of St. Andre Church in Biddeford. 

She was preceded in death Aug. 20, 2003, by Raymond, her husband of 66 years; six brothers, Theodore, Arthur, Alphonse, Adelard, Arthur and Fred Goulet; and three sisters, Emma Gonthier, Anna Foley and Odivine Laperle.

Survivors include two daughters, Florine Croizier and her husband, Emile, of Biddeford and Louise Chavez and her husband, Ricardo, of El Paso, Texas; one son, Philip Mahar and his wife, Renate, of Billings, Mont.; one sister, Olivine Tanguay of Biddeford; eight grandchildren and 12 great-grandchildren.

Arrangements were by Hope Memorial Chapel, Biddeford.

Lillian M. Alway

Lillian M. Alway, 95, of Clearwater, Fla., and formerly of Old Orchard Beach, died Tuesday, March 29, 2011, in Florida.

She was born Feb. 7, 1916, in Lowell, Mass., to the late Thomas and Cora (Waterman) Alway of Dracut, Mass. She attended schools in Dracut and was a Lowell High School graduate. 

She worked as an inspector at Raytheon Co. in Waltham, Mass., where she retired after 25 years of service. After her retirement, she spent summers in Ocean Park and winters in Largo, Fla. Miss Alway was a member of the Calvary Baptist Church, where she sang in the choir. She also was a longtime member of the Salvation Army in Lowell and Old Orchard Beach.

She was preceded in death by her sister, Viola Snowman; two brothers, Roland A. and Walter F. Alway; two nephews and a niece.

Survivors include her sister-in-law, Nancy Alway, of Clearwater, Fla.; longtime friend Ruth Sullivan of Ocean Park; and two nephews.

Arrangements were by Morse-Bayliss Funeral Home, Lowell, Mass.