Compiled by Rev. Susan Murphy
Richard (Chibby) (Bonhomme) Bergeron passed away on Aug. 16, 2025, at 81 years of age. He was born in Sanford on Dec. 24, 1943, to Lucy F. (Letourneau) Bergeron and Arthur W. Bergeron. He spent his elementary years at Notre Dame School and graduated from St. Ignatius High School in 1962. He joined the U.S. Navy in September of the same year and was honorably discharged in September 1966. He proceeded to get his associate degree from New Hampshire Tech in Portsmouth, NH, in 1968.
His career as an electrical engineer with IBM in Essex, VT, started in June 1968. He retired in 1998 after 30 years. He started a part-time business around 1973 selling vacuum tubes for pre-electric and electric radios. It was a niche industry that turned into a full-time business after his retirement.
Richard and Rita were married on Nov. 16, 1968, at St. Ignatius Church in Sanford. They had four children, and he was so proud of them. He returned to Springvale in September 2001 with his wife to care for his mother, who had Alzheimer’s. They decided to stay in Maine and watch over his aunt Jeanne Beaupre until her passing in 2016. He loved to golf with his good friend Mel Israel and later with his cousin Paul Letourneau.
He was predeceased by his parents and his sister-in-law, Augustine Adams Reid. He leaves behind his wife Rita Kay Adams Bergeron and their four children, Roman Marc (Lori), Aaron James (Lisa), Shawn Adams (Marie), and Niquette Lucy Bergeron; 14 grandchildren; siblings Ron (Claire), Phil (Connie), Claire (Dan) Unsinn, Irene (Dan) Daigle, and Anita Bergeron; aunt Yvonne Bergeron, 18 nieces and nephews and a great number of first cousins. He is also survived by his brothers-in law, David (Madelyn) Adams, Will (Jeanne) Adams and Augustines’s husband, James P. Reid. He loved all his family members as much as they loved him. He also leaves behind many special friends.
A funeral service will be held at 11 am on Monday, Nov. 24, at Black-Heald & Walker Funeral Home. Interment will follow at the Southern Maine Veterans Memorial Cemetery on Stanley Road in Springvale.
Louis J. Coluni, III, 76, of Springvale, passed away peacefully at his home on Wednesday, Aug. 20, 2025, surrounded by the love of his family.
Born in Amsterdam, NY, on Nov. 21, 1948, Louis was the son of the late Louis and Dorothy (Canape) Coluni, Jr. He grew up in Amsterdam and graduated from Wilbur H. Lynch High School in 1966. In 1969, he proudly answered the call to serve his country, joining the U.S. Navy. He spent three years aboard the USS Independence, where he not only served with honor but also forged many lifelong friendships.
Following his military service, Louis worked for many years as a carpenter before starting his own carpentry business, which he successfully owned and operated. His skill, craftsmanship and integrity were evident in all that he built. On Nov. 24, 1990, Louis married the love of his life, Doris Bliss. Together they shared nearly 35 years of love, devotion, and family life.
A man of deep faith and sharp intellect, Louis returned to school in 1994 and graduated summa cum laude with a bachelor’s degree in philosophy. He was a devout Catholic and an active communicant of St. Thérèse of Lisieux Parish in Sanford, where he joyfully shared his gift of music as a member of the folk group. He was also a proud 4th Degree member of the Knights of Columbus.
Music was one of Louis’ greatest passions. Known to many as “Joe Sailor,” he loved playing his guitar and performing at local events, often bringing joy and entertainment to his community. He also had a green thumb, tending to his garden and taking pride in growing fruits and vegetables. Outgoing and kind-hearted, he never missed a chance to stop and talk with people, always ready with a warm smile, a thoughtful story, or an encouraging word. Louis was a lifelong learner with a curious mind. He loved reading, watching the news, and deepening his understanding of the world. He was intelligent, inquisitive, and wise, but above all, he was a man of faith, family, and friendship.
Louis was predeceased by his parents. He is survived by his loving wife, Doris Coluni; his six children, Kelly Coluni, Heather Chrysler, Dorothy Carpenter, Theresa Tranchemontagne, Amanda Salve and A.J. Mears; nine grandchildren and his sister, Amelia Polomaine.
Visitation was held Thursday, Aug. 28. A Mass of Christian Burial was celebrated on Friday, Aug. 29, at 10 am at St. Thérèse of Lisieux Parish in Sanford. Interment with military honors followed at the Southern Maine Veterans Cemetery, Stanley Road, Springvale. https://conroytullywalker.com/obits/louis-j-coluni/?utm_content=button
Shirley L. Lehoux, 90, of Sanford died at home on Aug. 16, 2025, surrounded by her loving family.
She was born in Wolfeboro, NH, on May 15, 1935, the daughter of Elmer and Lillian Hooper Downing. She spent several years working in Sanford at Eastern Plastics and at Augat in South Sanford.
She met and married her husband, Leonard Lehoux, in 1953. They were blessed with four children, three boys and a girl. They both enjoyed their woodworking craft; he would cut and she would paint. They were vendors at many of the local holiday craft fairs, meeting up with many of their returning customers who wanted to add more special pieces to their collections. Following Leonard’s passing, Shirley continued the woodworking craft and going to craft shows. Both Leonard and Shirley were members of the Kora Renegades for many years. Shirley loved hummingbirds and fairy gardens. There was never enough to satisfy her whim as she kept adding to her gardens.
Shirley is predeceased by her parents, her husband, Leonard and her son, Lenny. She is survived by her children, Marie (Chris) Butterfield, Doug (Karen) Lehoux, Robert (Ellen) Lehoux, and daughter-in-law Candice (Lenny) Lehoux; eight grandchildren; eight great-grandchildren; two great-great-grandchildren, a third great-great-grandchild on the way; and many nieces, nephews, and friends.
Visitation will be held at Bibber Memorial at Autumn Green, 47 Oak St. in Alfred, at 11 am on Sept. 5, followed by a committal service at 1:30 pm at Notre Dame Cemetery on Pine Street in Springvale.
https://memorials.bibbersautumngreen.com/shirley-lehoux/5629281/index.php
Shirley L. Lehoux, 74, of Sanford passed away peacefully, surrounded by his loving family, on Friday, Aug. 15, 2025, at Gosnell Memorial Hospice House in Scarborough.
He was born on June 26, 1951, in Elmira, NY, to Dorthea and Donald Morrison, Sr. When Donald was about four years old, the family moved to Sanford for his father’s work. He grew up locally and attended Sanford schools.
A proud veteran, Donald served the Army National Guard. Over the years, he pursued many different paths of employment. He worked as a steeplejack, was employed at Pikes Industries, served as a nurse’s aide at Mainstay Nursing Home, and bartended at various establishments, including the Lafayette Club.
Donald had a great sense of humor and a lot of charismatic charm. He had a way of making the person in front of him feel heard and special. To those who knew him, Donald was many different things: a friend, a confidant, and a character. Of all his roles in life, one that he was most proud of was being a grandfather to Gary.
Donald was predeceased by his parents, stepmother Ginny Morrison and stepfather Stillman Parker; his brothers, Denny and his wife Kathy, James “Monkey” Morrison; Donnie Allen and his sister, Donna Hupe.
He will be missed by his daughter, Kristie Love Monahan, and her significant other Patrick Hamel, their son, Gary Demers all of Sanford; his son, Brian Belanger; his brother, David (Christine) Morrison; his sister-in-law, Claire Morrison; Kristie’s mother, Gladys Demers of Sanford, and many nieces and nephews.
A graveside service was held at 1 pm on Friday, Aug. 29, at the Southern Maine Veterans Memorial Cemetery, 83 Stanley Road in Springvale.
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