Donald Andre Elie

BIDDEFORD – Donald Andre Elie left this world with his family by his side on April 29, 2023. He was born on April 20, 1948, the son of Raymond and Jeannette (Loranger) Elie.

He attended Biddeford schools and graduated from Biddeford High School in 1967. During his younger years Don was active in Boy Scouts and attained Eagle Scout. During his time in high school Don participated in the Biddeford CO-OP program, and upon his graduation entered the apprenticeship program for sheet metal at Portsmouth Naval Ship Yard.

Don went on to work for Haley’s Metal for a few years before starting his own company on May 1, 1977, Don’s Sheet Metal. Through hard work Don grew his business and transformed it from manufacturing and installing duct work for the HVAC industry to a precision metal manufacturing company. Knowing that he needed to differentiate his company from competitors, he brought one of the first CNC laser cutting systems for sheet metal manufacturing to the state of Maine. Don continued to run his business until his retirement at the end of 1999.

He was very involved in the Biddeford-Saco Elks Lodge and is a past Exalted Ruler. Prior to the closure of St. Andre’s Church in Biddeford Don had spent many hours working to preserve it. Among his proudest accomplishments was his tireless promotion of vocational education. Don thought that the trades gave young people a set of skills that would lead them to lifelong success and believed the trades were as valuable as a college education.

Don was a very generous man that gave freely of his time, talent to anyone in need. He will always be remembered for his strong work ethic by anyone that knew him or had the privilege of working with him.

Don married his wife Suzanne in 1969 and spent their life together in Biddeford until they became snow birds, then split their time between Ocala, Fla. and Biddeford. Don and Sue enjoyed camping in their younger years and traveling during retirement. They took several cruises in the Caribbean, traveling through the Panama Canal twice, to Alaska, several trips to Europe, and an unforgettable cross country camping trip with their youngest son Dana.

Don was predeceased by his parents. He is survived by his wife Suzanne; his three children, Laura Elie and fiancé Scott Courteau, Denis and wife Amy Elie, Dana and partner Rose Moshimer; his grandchildren, Gavin and wife Samantha Campbell, Caleb and wife Cassie Campbell, Evan Elie, Emily Elie and Julia Elie; his four great grandsons, Elie, Jordan, Bryson, and Liam Campbell. He is also survived by his brother Robert and wife Susan Elie; sister Linda and husband Michael Morin, his sisters-in-law, Claire and husband Don Smith, Rachel and husband John Leclerc, Paula and husband Bruce Hayward; and many nieces, nephews and friends.

The family would like to thank the doctors and nurses of the Gibson Pavilion of Maine Medical Center and especially Dr. Andrew Rogers and his team for their care of Don. Additionally, the family would like to thank the entire of staff of the Gosnell Hospice Center in Scarborough for Don’s care in his last days and support they provided to the family.

The family would like to extend an invitation for people to express their condolences on Thursday, May 4, 2023 from 4 p.m. to 7 p.m. at Cote Funeral Home Chapel, 87 James Street, Saco. Burial will be private.

To view Don’s memorial page or leave an online condolence, please visit http://www.cotefuneralhome.com.

The family has requested that in lieu of flowers you consider making a donation to the Donald Elie Scholarship Fund that Don’s good friend Lou Chantigny started several years ago, which is given to a graduating senior from Biddeford Regional Center

of Technology.

Donations can

be mailed to:

the BRCOT

Attn: Donald Elie

Scholarship

10 Maplewood Ave

Biddeford ME 04005