Ralph G. Kavanaugh, 86, of Old Orchard Beach, died Monday, May 9, 2011, at Southridge Living Center in Biddeford.

He was born Sept. 23, 1924, in Missouri to Ralph C. and Amy Kavanaugh.

He graduated from Castle Heights Military Academy in Tennessee and the University of Kentucky.

Mr. Kavanaugh served in the U.S. Marine Corps and was employed for 25 years at International Harvester in Illinois.

During retirement he lived in Clearwater, Fla., with his wife, Rose. They moved to Old Orchard Beach in 2005. He was an avid golfer, car enthusiast and enjoyed traveling.

He was preceded in death by one stepson, Walter Hirst.

Survivors include his wife of 39 years, Rose LaVallee Kavanaugh of Old Orchard Beach; three daughters, Lisa Kavanaugh and Kimberly Kosman of Ohio and Pamela Kavanaugh of Pennsylvania; two stepdaughters, Roseann McCarthy of Connecticut and Kathleen Binnette of Biddeford; three stepsons, Kenneth Hirst of Old Orchard Beach, Edward Hirst and his wife, Pam, of Saco and Randy Hirst and his wife, Carrie, of Old Orchard Beach; and six grandchildren.

Arrangements are by Cote Funeral Home, Saco.

Doris G. Murphy

Doris “Dot” G. Murphy, 79, of Biddeford, died with her family by her side on Thursday, May 5, 2011, at Gosnell Memorial Hospice House in Scarborough. She had been ill for three years with ovarian cancer.

She was born Feb. 20, 1932, in Biddeford to Francis X. and Rose Alma Lebel Dube. She attended Biddeford schools and was a 1950 St. Andre High School graduate

She married Robert Murphy on April 29, 1966. They celebrated their 45th wedding anniversary last Friday.

Mrs. Murphy loved to travel and shop. She enjoyed e-mailing, downloading music and sending photos to family and friends on her computer. Most of all, she loved to spend time with her family.

She was a parishioner of St. Joseph Church, Good Shepherd Parish, in Biddeford.

She was preceded in death by her parents.

Survivors include her husband, Robert D. Murphy, of Biddeford; her daughter Diane Stickles Charette of Saco; three grandchildren and three great-grandchildren; one sister, Madeleine Gagnon of Biddeford; one niece and one nephew.

Arrangements were by Cote Funeral Home, Saco.

Fernand Descoteaux

Fernand Descoteaux, 84, of Shapleigh, died Wednesday, May 4, 2011, at his home.

He was born June 27, 1926, in Biddeford to Albanie and Marie Rose (Gagne) Descoteaux and was educated locally.

On Aug. 26, 1945, he married Lena Pombriant at St. Joseph Church.

Mr. Descoteaux was employed at Bates Mills and as a lumberjack in the Maine woods. He also worked at the Saco/Lowell Shops, Pepperell Mills, Saco Tanning and was last employed for five years by the environmental services department at Southern Maine Medical Center. He retired in 1988.

He was a member of St. Matthew Parish in Limerick. He loved the outdoors and spent his time there fishing, hunting, snowmobiling and walking with his dog.

He was preceded in death by three brothers, Rene and Gerard Descoteaux and Odina Gagne; and three sisters, Noella Cassette, Rose Michelson and Evelyn Blanchette.

Survivors include his wife of 64 years, Lena Descoteaux of Shapleigh; three daughters, Yvonne Brackett and her husband, Donald, of Shapleigh, Joanne Bastarache and her husband, Roger, of Biddeford and Rita Rose and her husband, Howard, of Biddeford; 10 grandchildren and nine great-grandchildren.

Arrangements were by Hope Memorial Chapel, Biddeford.

Joseph L. Legere

Joseph Laurent “Larry” Legere, 72, of Biddeford, died Saturday, March 5, 2011, at Southern Maine Medical Center in Biddeford.

He was born Sept. 6, 1938, in Sanford to Jean Paul and Dolores Nadeau Legere. He was educated in Sanford schools and graduated as valedictorian from the former St. Ignatius High School and cum laude from Nasson College in Springvale.

Mr. Legere served in the U.S. Air Force. He worked a few years at Prudential Life Insurance Co. in Swampscott, Mass., and in the local area until he retired in 2003.

He enjoyed doing crossword puzzles, watching television and meeting friends at Burger King.

He was preceded in death by his brother, Henry Legere, and sister, Gabrielle Nadeau.

Survivors include two sisters, Madeleine Boucher of Biddeford and Gertrude Quiron and her husband, Ron, of Little River, S.C.; and several nieces and nephews.

Arrangements were by Hope Memorial Chapel, Biddeford.

Evelyn Fleurant

Evelyn Fleurant, 86, of Biddeford, died Wednesday, May 4, 2011, at Southern Maine Medical Center.

She was born Jan. 24, 1925, in Biddeford to George and Rosa (Sylvestre) Poirier. She was educated at St. Joseph School and was a 1944 St. Joseph High School graduate.

On May 27, 1946, she married A. Victor Fleurant at St. Joseph Church.      

Mrs. Fleurant worked as a young woman at Reilly’s Bakery and the local American Red Cross office. She owned Vic’s Appliance Center in Saco with her husband and continued to operate it after his death.

She was a member of St. Andre and St. Joseph Parishes of the Good Shepherd and Daughters of Isabella. She was a foster mother for both St. Andre Home and the state,

In the 1970s she and her husband enjoyed traveling with the Good Sam Club. She enjoyed knitting hats and mittens for  local church fairs. She also loved reading, bird watching, prided herself in her role as a mother and housewife and hosted many family picnics.

She was preceded in death by her husband of 43 years, A. Victor Fleurant, on Oct.27, 1989; her son, Robert Fleurant, in 2000; three brothers, George, Joseph and Paul Poirier; and five sisters, Florence and Gertrude Poirier, Sister Martha Poirier, Sister Laurette Poirier and Diana Bertrand.

Survivors include four daughters, Cecile Rossignol and her husband, Norman, of Biddeford, Rachel Perreault of Biddeford, Jacqueline Maurice and her husband, Kenneth, of Exeter, N.H., Patricia Vintinner and her husband, Dave, of Murphy, N.C.; four sons, Ralph Fleurant and his wife, Michelle, of Biddeford, Donald Fleurant and his wife, Mary, of Arundel, Charles Fleurant of Biddeford and Brian Fleurant and his wife, Shannon, of Biddeford; one daughter-in-law, Priscille Fleurant of Biddeford; two brothers, Maurice Poirier of North Carolina and Norman Poirier of Biddeford; two sisters, Beatrice Reardon of Saco and Lucille Duclos of Saco; 18 grandchildren and 14 great-grandchildren; and many many nieces and nephews

Arrangements were by Hope Memorial Chapel, Biddeford.

Joseph M. Laverriere

Joseph Maurice Laverriere, 78, of Arundel, died Monday, May 2, 2011, at his home.

He was born Nov. 6, 1932, in Biddeford, to Joseph A. and Alice (Hurt) Laverriere and was educated in Biddeford schools. He received his GED from Biddeford Adult Education Program.

On April 16, 1955, he married Mary Alice Terry in Meridan, Miss.

Mr. Laverriere served in the U.S. Air Force for 20 years during the Korean and Vietnam wars and earned two bronze stars. He worked for almost 20 years following his honorable discharge as a metal forger at Portsmouth Naval Shipyard and retired in 1993.

He was a life member of the Disabled American Veterans, Veterans of Foreign Wars and American Legion.

Mr. Laverriere enjoyed working with his hands, especially on projects around the house and was everyone’s handyman. He loved time spent with family, especially his grandchildren and nieces and nephews.

He was preceded in death by two sisters, Lucille Leach and Mary Boivin.

Survivors include his wife of 56 years, Mary A. Laverriere of Arundel; one son, Chris Laverriere and his wife, Michele, of Arundel; one daughter, Stephanie Stanley of Texas; three grandchildren; one sister, Dorothy Petrin of Arundel; and many nieces and nephews

Arrangements were by Hope Memorial Chapel, Biddeford.

Anna J. Nelson

Anna J. Nelson, 90, of Saco, died Monday, May 2, 2011, at Southern Maine Medical Center in Biddeford.

She was born Jan. 30, 1921, in Warwick, R.I., to Irving and Signe (Olson) Jenison. She graduated from West Warwick High School.

On Sept. 12, 1942, she married Clinton L. Nelson in West Warwick, R.I. He died Aug. 9, 1998, after  55 years of marriage.

Mrs. Nelson worked as a telephone operator for New England Telephone for 17 years and several years in a school cafeteria in East Greenwich, R.I. She and her husband lived in East Greenwich, R.I., for 21 years and South Strafford, Vt., for 15 years. In 1986 they retired to Saco.

She was a member of Holy Cross Lutheran Church in Kennebunk and a former member of Emmanuel Lutheran Church, West Warwick, R.I. She enjoyed sewing and knitting, sharing crafts with her grandchildren and donating them to the church. She also enjoyed traveling and visited many areas across the United States.

She was preceded in death by her husband of 55 years, Clinton, L. Nelson, and in 2011 by her brother, Lester Jenison

Survivors include two sons, Barry L. Nelson of Prospect, Pa., and Daniel C. Nelson and his wife, Irene, of Old Orchard Beach; one daughter, Linnea N. Keyes and her husband, Donald, of Norwood, Mass.; seven grandchildren, four great-grandchildren and several nieces and nephews.

Arrangements were by Hope Memorial Chapel, Biddeford

Edna E. Paquette

Edna E. Paquette, 92, of Shaker Heights, Ohio, and formerly of Saco, died Saturday, April 23, 2011, at Stratford Common Nursing Facility in Glenwillow, Ohio, following a lengthy illness.

She was born Aug. 9, 1918, in Biddeford to Joseph E. and Philomene (Gagnon) Bertrand. She was educated in Saco schools. 

She was employed briefly at Woolworth’s in Biddeford and later worked at Pepperell Mills for 12 years in the blanket division.

On May 11, 1946, she married Rene E. Paquette. He died July 3, 1993.  

Mrs. Paquette was a communicant of Notre Dame de Lourdes Church; she enjoyed classical music, the piano,  reading, outdoor attractions in the Saco area and loved to spend time with her family and friends.

She is survived by her daughter, Jane Paquette Petschek and her husband, Rolfe G. Petschek, of Shaker Heights, Ohio; one granddaughter and several nieces and nephews.

Arrangements were by Cote Funeral Home, Saco.