DEXTER - Armand Edward Poirier, 95, passed away June 13, 2020 at the Maine Veterans Home in Bangor. He was born December 30, 1924 to Frank and Vitaline (Johnson) Poirier and was the oldest of ten children. He attended school in Skowhegan and enlisted in the U. S. Army during World War II. He served in the 3rd Army, 4th Armored Division as a surgical technician with the 16th Field Hospital. Near the end of World War II, he was briefly taken prisoner in an ambush crossing the Rhine River in Germany and they confiscated everything except his harmonica, of which, he was an avid player. He was in the Battle of Normandy, the Battle of the Rhine, and the Battle of the Bulge receiving several medals. He was bestowed France's National Order of the Legion of Honor with the rank of Knight for his service during the war.
After the war he returned to Maine to raise a family in Dexter. He owned and operated Poirier's Market with his wife Leatrice for many years. He also served as a volunteer fireman. Armand was an avid outdoorsman and enjoyed hunting and fishing as well as playing golf, horseshoes and cards. Armand received his GED in the 1980's in Dexter. In later years he divided his time between Zephyrhills, Florida and his cottage on Lake Wassookeag in Dexter.
Armand is survived by two daughters, Carolyn (Richard) Gilbert of Dexter and Vernita (Ronald) Hallee of Middletown, Ohio; a step daughter, Marilynn (Allen) Strout of Port Orange, Florida; five grandchildren, Michael and Jason Hallee, Chad Gilbert, Kelly and Lindsey Strout; six great grandchildren, Dak Manjarrez and Ford Hallee, Lauren and Ian Hallee, and Benjamin and Blake Gilbert; a brother Joseph Louis Poirier; and three sisters, Clara Withee, Teressa Irwin, and Esther Tracy.
He was predeceased by his wives Leatrice (Clukey) Poirier and Kay (Maxwell) Poirier, and special friend Shirley Lathrop; his beloved grandson, Shane Gilbert; and three brothers, Frank Poirier, Jr., John Poirier and Frederick Poirier (infant); and three sisters, Irene Devoe, Leatrice Poulin, and Joan Gagnon.
A graveside committal service with military honors will be held at 11 A.M. Wednesday, July 1st, at Mount Pleasant Cemetery, Dexter. His family would like to thank the nurses and doctors at the Maine Veterans Home for the excellent care he received during his stay. In lieu of flowers, please make donations to the Maine Veterans Home, 44 Hogan Road, Bangor, ME 04401. Arrangements are by Crosby & Neal, Dexter.