Obit: Joseph Lemay ... longtime firearms enthusiast

LEBANON - Joseph Alcide Wilfred Lemay, 78, of Lebanon, passed away on Friday, Jan. 3, 2014, with his daughter and sister at his side, at the Gosnell Memorial Hospice House in Scarborough, following a lengthy battle with cancer.

He was one day shy of his 79th birthday.

Joseph was born in Sanford on Jan. 4, 1935, to Wilfred A. and Florence Guillemette Lemay.

"Cid," as his friends and family called him, was very proud of his nine years of service in the Army, of which he was honorably discharged in 1962 as Armor Specialist, E-4. During his time in the service, he was awarded many safety awards, as well as a marksman's ribbon and oak leaf cluster for rifle and pistol.

After his discharge, Cid returned home and began work at what was then known as Davidson Rubber Co., finishing automobile interior parts. He worked there as a quality assurance technician until his retirement at the age of 65. After he retired, he worked for many years at the University of Southern Maine-Springvale, doing classroom setup and maintenance and serving as a jack of all trades.

Cid was an avid hunter, fisherman and firearms enthusiast. As a result, he spent countless hours in the fields, sharing this quality time and creating memories with his son, daughter, nephews and brothers. In the fall it was hunting at the Deering hunting grounds, in the summer, fishing at Branch Brook and other local fishing hot spots. Cid was a lifetime member of the National Rifle Association and volunteered his time and expertise on guns and ammunition at local gun shows as part of his membership in the North Berwick Rod and Gun Club.

Blessed with a very large family, he enjoyed attending every family outing, barbecue and Christmas party held throughout the years, making a point of seeing and talking to everyone in attendance. Religiously, before the sun would rise, he would ride his little red truck and take short trips to Gerrish Bridge in Lebanon, where he would feed mallard ducks and see wildlife crossing the bridge while enjoying the beauty of nature.

For many years, his love of fireworks brought him to his son's home in Northwood, N.D., for its Fourth of July celebration. There, Cid, with his son and daughter by his side, would "wow" the locals for an entire week as the honorary fireworks "hooligan" and master of ceremonies for the entire town. In the midst of all of these activities, he enjoyed discussing politics, telling hunting stories and outlining his philosophy on life. He would discuss with his daughter different plants and trees that grow in gardens and in the Maine woods and different birds that would come to his bird feeder.

Cid was a simple man who had many talents. He enjoyed cross stitching, embroidery, building balsa wood model aircraft and even made a few doll houses. Many mornings, you would find him at the local hangout, Sunnyside Café in Springvale, having coffee at the "Table of Knowledge." His seat will be empty now, but his contagious smile, skilled storytelling, and sense of humor will live on in his friends' and family's hearts and memories.

Joseph is predeceased by his first wife, Elizabeth, his son, Curtis, his brothers, Lionel and Richard, and his mother and father. - See more at: