J. Donald Lavoie

J. Donald Lavoie (“Don”), 81, passed away peacefully Friday, April 24, 2021 at the South Paris, Maine Veteran’s Home, surrounded by his son and daughter.

Don was the first born son of Archille Lavoie and Yvonne (Bisson) Lavoie. Born and raised in Biddeford, Maine, Don attended local schools before joining the U.S. Army, where he spent a great deal of time in Germany. Upon returning home, he met and fell in love with Suzanne Tardif from Saco, Maine. They married in 1963, and raised a family on East Labonte Avenue, in Saco. They were married for 20 years before Suzanne’s sudden passing in 1984. Don was an accomplished stone mason who was known for his meticulous craftsmanship and hard work. He was very proud of the fact that he did many masonry projects at the Bush Compound in Kennebunkport in the 1980s, and even on occasion would be invited to have lunch at the residence with then President George Bush and Barbara Bush. In addition to working on his own, Don worked for Cianbro Corporation until his retirement. Don was a snowbird, who lived in Maine in the summer, but loved spending his winters in Zephyrhills, Florida, at Settler’s Rest RV Resort. He was a member of the Fraternal Order of the Knights of Columbus. He was a devoted Catholic and attended Mass at local parishes, usually with his mother, Yvonne (Lavoie) Fecteau, who just passed away five months ago at the age of 102.

Don was predeceased by: his parents; his wife, Suzanne; and his brother, Paul Lavoie.

He is survived by: his daughter, Ann Jackson (Kurt) of Seattle, Washington; a son, Kevin Lavoie of Auburn, New Hampshire; his sister, Rita McGraw of Lewiston, and stepsister, Lucille Fecteau of Biddeford; and many cousins, nieces and nephews. He was very proud of his “girls”, his granddaughters, Emily and Sarah Jackson of Seattle, Suzanne Lavoie of Virginia, Erin Mokler (Sean) of Biddeford, Maine and Connecticut, and his beloved great-granddaughter, Ellie Mokler. Special thanks to his “honorary brother,” Leon Randall of Saco, Maine, and Zephyrhills, Florida, who he shared many years of friendship, stories and laughter.

A funeral service will be held at 11 a.m. Friday, June 25, 2021, at Cote Funeral Home Chapel, 87 James St., Saco. A graveside service will follow at Laurel Hill Cemetery, Saco. Don will be buried next to his wife, Suzanne. To view Don’s memorial page or watch his online video, please visit www.cotefuneralhome.com

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in his name to the Maine Veteran’s Home, 477 High St., South Paris, ME 04281