OLD ORCHARD BEACH — Norman Guerette, 86, formerly of Old Orchard Beach, died Sunday, Oct. 12, 2014 at River Ridge Center in Kennebunk after a long illness.
He was born in Caribou, on Sept. 12, 1928, the son of Thomas and Euphemie Picard Guerette.
He was educated in Biddeford schools and graduated from Biddeford High School with the Class of 1946.
Mr. Guerette served with the U.S. Air Force during World War II. After being discharged from the military service, he settled in the Hartford, Connecticut area where he worked 10 years with Veeder Root Co. and Pratt & Whitney Co.
In November 1952, he married Cecile Bergeron in St. Joseph Church in Biddeford. She died Dec. 12, 1982.
Norman returned back to Maine in June of 1969. He and his wife built the Waverly Motel on West Grand Avenue in Old Orchard Beach in 1967 and operated it until 1983, when it was converted to condominiums. He also co-owned and operated Guerette & Marcoux Real Estate Co. from 1973 to 1980. He continued to work in real estate as Guerette Realty. He was very involved in the development of Homewood Park in Old Orchard Beach until his retirement in 1998.
Norm was appointed and served as chairman of the Old Orchard Beach Planning Board. He was a director of the Old Orchard Beach Chamber of Commerce for 21 years and served as president for three years. He was a member of St. Margaret’s Parish Council for 12 years and served as president for three years, and was a member of the Knights of Columbus and the Richelieu Club, where he served as president for one year. He also was elected to the Maine Innkeepers Association where he served as president and was voted “Innkeeper of the Year.”
Norman enjoyed the beach. He loved to travel, doing genealogy on the Guerette & Picard families, and woodworking.
He was preceded in death by: 11 brothers and sisters.
He is survived by: one daughter, Darlene Dodier and her husband Larry of Old Orchard Beach; his companion and caregiver, Lida Zahares and her family of Kennebunk; one brother, Robert Guerette and his wife Theresa of Old Orchard Beach; two granddaughters, Kalina Dodier and Stephanie Dodier, both of Old Orchard Beach; several nieces and nephews; and his extended family of caregivers at River Ridge Rehabilitation facility.
Visiting hours will be 4-7 p.m. on Thursday, Oct. 16 at Hope Memorial Chapel, 480 Elm St., Biddeford, ME 04005. A Mass of Christian burial will be celebrated at 10 a.m. on Friday, Oct. 17 at St. Martha’s Church, Route 1 in Kennebunk. Burial will be in St. Joseph Cemetery in Biddeford. Memorial donations in Norman’s memory may be made to River Ridge Recreation Therapy Dept., 3 Brazier Road, Kennebunk, ME 04043. To share condolences online, visit www.hopememorial.com.
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