J. Armand Melanson, 82, of Boothbay, passed away peacefully at his home on Sept. 28 surrounded by his loving family. Armand was born on Oct. 26, 1931 in Lynn, Mass., the son of the late Joseph and Marie (Cormier) Melanson. Growing up in Lynn, Armand attended local schools and was a graduate of St. Jeans School with the class of 1950.
After completing high school, Armand married the love of his life Lorraine Sonia on April 29, 1951 and the two began their family in Lynn. Joining the work force to support his family, Armand operated a variety of different businesses, including a mom and pop shop, a private ambulance service, and a delivery service just to name a few. When he began work at GE he wore many hats: he would do whatever they asked him to do from driving the large trucks and locomotives to tasks in and around the plant; he was not afraid of hard work and it showed. After retiring from GE he and Lorraine moved to Boothbay where they resided for over 20 years.
Armand loved to sing. He began singing with the men’s choir at St. Jeans at the age of 15 and never looked back. He took his talents to various other choirs but always sung with the St. Jean’s choir until they were no more. Armand sang in various choirs here in Maine including the Lincoln Arts Choral Group and the Our Lady Queen of Peace Choir. He enjoyed the yearly trip to their home in Venice, Fla. where he would join up and sing with the St. Pedro’s Choir. Armand could always be heard singing throughout the day and even up until his last few days he still turned out some beautiful melodies.
Armand tried to give back to the community he had grown so fond of by being a member of the Boothbay Region YMCA, and the Boothbay Civic Association, and also volunteering at the library book store. He loved spending time with his family and enjoyed being able to go home to Lynn for the holidays where his family would gather in the home he grew up in.
He was predeceased by brothers, Aquila and Gerald Melanson; sisters, Doris Anderson, and Lorraine Pohle; and dear aunt, Regina Marengo.
Survivors include his loving wife of 62 years, Lorraine Melanson of Boothbay; children, Christine Ouellette and husband William of Lynn, Mass., Wayne Melanson and wife Sandra of Montgomery, N.Y., and Mark Melanson and wife Jeanne of Lynn, Mass.; grandchildren, Will Ouellette and wife Regan, Scott Ouellette, Craig Melanson and wife Tia, Alan Melanson, Erin Lawyer and husband Brian; six great-grandchildren; and siblings, Arthur Melanson and wife Dorina, Corine LeBlanc, Violet Reault and husband Emile, and Nora Dugas and husband Robert.
A mass of Christian burial will be held at 11 a.m., Fri. Oct. 3 at Our Lady Queen of Peace, 82 Atlantic Ave., Boothbay Harbor.
Should friends desire, memorial contributions may be made to Miles and St. Andrews Home Health & Hospice, 40 Belvedere Rd., Damariscotta, ME 04543.
You are invited to share your condolences, memories, and photos with the family by visiting their Book of Memories at www.hallfuneralhomes.com.
Arrangements are entrusted to Hall Funeral Home, Boothbay.
