A celebration of life for Douglas Michaud Jr., who was killed outside his Biddeford home Sept. 14 is set for Monday. He is shown here with girlfriend Jamie Wakefield. Courtesy Photo/ Terra Johnson

BIDDEFORD — Douglas Michaud Jr. was the sort of man who was passionate about everything he did. He loved motorcycles and vintage cars and Jamie Wakefield and their unborn son.

“He was the most positive person I ever met in my life,” said Jamie on Tuesday morning.

Those who knew Michaud will gather Monday, Sept. 27 at New Life Church to celebrate his life. It was a life cut short on Sept. 14 when he succumbed to multiple gunshot wounds on the porch of the apartment Biddeford building he owned.

A tenant, Randal Hennessey, has been charged with murder.

Michaud, 31, was a man who was helpful to others, family members and friends said. He was always working on a project, like making upgrades to the Union Street apartment building he bought in 2017. He enjoyed playing pool in his Tuesday night league, attending drag races on Thursdays, and going to every car show he could, said family friend Terra Johnson. He had begun the process of becoming a firefighter.

Monday’s 2 p.m. ceremony at New Life Church, at 551 Alfred St., will be followed by a celebration of Life at Champions Sports Bar, 15 Thornton St., in Saco. It is where Doug and Jamie met three years ago. He wanted to date her, but at first she declined, she said. Then she found he had listed her as his girlfriend on Facebook, and she said yes. The relationship blossomed.

Jamie’s sister Megan Wakefield said Doug was proud of everything he did, and everything he had.

“He was loud and proud, and he wanted to make his presence known,” said Megan.

“Mostly he loved Jamie and he was so excited to be a dad,” said Johnson, her friend and business partner at Tulu Salon and Spa. “The love Jamie and Doug had for each other was never questionable, and I’ve never known a couple better fitting or in love. This loss to someone I love so much is the most gut-wrenching thing I have experienced, and the strength that Jamie has truly is inspiring.”

Jamie said she is heartbroken.

She said Doug loved being a landlord and his goal was to own more buildings. He was the type of landlord who was quick to make repairs if something needed fixing at a tenant’s apartment.

“He had great hope and faith for the city of Biddeford,” said Megan.

Jamie said Doug had a difficult childhood. “He could have gone down a different path, but he wasn’t going to do that,” she said.

Jamie is expecting their child, a son, later this year.

On Sunday, “Dougie’s Ride,” to support Jamie and their unborn son, will commence with an 8:30 a.m. registration at Waterboro Eagles, 1050 Main St. The ride includes motorcycles, cars, vintage autos, and trucks, organizers say. The ride starts at 10:30 a.m. and concludes at Iron Tails Saloon in Acton.

Randal Hennessey is charged with intentional and knowing murder in connection with the shooting death of Douglas Michaud Jr. and is held at York County Jail without bail. York County Jail Photo

Maine State Police have charged Hennessey, 31, with intentional and knowing murder in connection with Michaud’s death. He made a brief video appearance at York County Superior Court in Alfred on Thursday and was ordered held without bail. Portland attorney Tina Heather Nadeau has been appointed by the court to represent Hennessey. No arraignment date has been set.

According to an affidavit on file at the court, bystanders said Hennessey and Michaud were arguing the afternoon of Sept. 14. Hennessey shot Michaud shortly after 3 p.m., and drove away on a motorcycle. Hennessey was taken into custody by police in Durham, New Hampshire, at about 8 p.m.

Jamie Wakefield told Biddeford Police that Hennessey seemed confrontational when she saw him in the vestibule of the apartment building in the afternoon prior to the shooting. They exchanged words, and Michaud came in and told Hennessey to leave Wakefield alone.

Michaud and Wakefield went out to the front porch. She told police she heard Hennessey say “Doug” as he walked out onto the porch and  then shot Michaud several times in the chest with a handgun. He then returned to the vestibule.

According to the affidavit, as Jamie began to render aid to Doug, Hennessey reappeared on the porch and shot him in the head at close range.

Bystanders said Michaud was in the process of evicting Hennessey.

According to a Portland Press Herald report, a background check showed Hennessey has prior convictions in Maine, including felony burglaries, though none since 2016.

An eviction complaint showed Hennessey had been served a notice to quit the premises at 26 Union St. owned by Michaud in November 2019, indicating the tenant was behind on rent and had violated terms of his lease, the Press Herald report stated. The two reached an agreement in January 2020, and the court dismissed the case in September.

An online Go Fund Me campaign to help Wakefield and her son reached more than $55,000 by the time it wrapped up Tuesday afternoon.

A “Cars and coffee for Doug” event will take place at Strickland’s Auto and Repair at 6 p.m. at 879 Portland Road in Saco on Wednesday, Sept. 29. The notice for the event states that Michaud always had a smile on his face and made everyone around him smile and laugh as well. An area will be set aside for donations to benefit Wakefield and her son.

Johnson said Michaud was “tall, handsome and funny, and always made his presence known.” Monday’s ceremony at New Life Church is for all those who want to honor him, she said.

Megan Wakefield said Doug Michaud was loved, gave much love, and was very excited to be a father.

“He loved Jamie so much, he was so proud of her,” said Megan. “Our family loved him; his family loved her. Doug was part of our family.”