BUXTON- Richard P. Arsenault, 78, died April 7, 2018 after a short illness at Gosnell Hospice in Scarborough with his loving family by his side.
Dick was born in Rumford, ME on August 16, 1939, the son of George and Irene (Langevin) Arsenault and graduated in 1958 from Stephens High School in Rumford. He worked as a millwright in the Oxford Paper Mill in Rumford for a number of years until he entered the University of Maine, Orono where he majored in biology. Upon graduation from the University, he taught school for one year but soon realized that he was more interested in working in the field. He was hired by the Maine Dept. of Inland Fisheries and Game and worked for the department as a State Biologist until he retired.
April 8, 1972 Dick married Elaine Lavoie, his rough diamond as he teasingly called her. In addition to being Richard's loving wife of these many years, Elaine is a mother, grandmother, homemaker, hairdresser, caretaker for the elderly and an artist for starts. Dick and Elaine made their home on Turkey Lane Rd. in Buxton, ME. They are communicants of Pastor White's Grace Bible Church of Gorham, Maine.
In addition to his lovely wife, Dick is survived by his daughter Georgia and her husband Tim Hiltz and their three sons, Dillon, Logan and Brayden who reside in Buxton. Dick is also survived by his son Geoffrey and his wife Andrea and their three children Liam, Evan and Tara who reside in Glen Arm, MD.
Dick was an avid hunter and fisherman throughout his life but, of the two, fishing was his greatest passion: fly fishing for salmon, ice fishing, brook fishing and horn-pouting. After retirement he became a registered Maine Guide and enjoyed guiding bass fisherman in his 18’ aluminum canoe. He taught many a young person the techniques and joys of fishing. As long as he could keep his feet planted at the shoreline or pier he enjoyed a bit of ocean fishing. He was not fond of large boats as he was prone to severe sea sickness. He tied flies most of his adult life and enjoyed many activities with Elaine: hiking, cross-country skiing, walking, working out at the gym and traveling to name a few. Dick was also the founder of a Maine sportsmen's club called MASTC (Maine Antler & Skull Trophy Club) still in operation. He believed hunters deserved recognition for their trophies taken in this beautiful state. He was president of the club for nearly 20 yrs until he decided to pass it on to someone else. He authored yearly MASTC books which Elaine graciously typed and prepared for release. He also tried his hand at being an entrepreneur as the Farm Pond Doctor. Consulting and maintaining many beautiful small ponds in Maine. Dick continued to involve his children and grandchildren in as many family activities as possible throughout his life an tried to impart on them the joy of the outdoors.
Richard was the third child of sixteen children. He was predeceased by by his father and mother and four siblings: Alfred; Bernadette (spouse of John Pache also deceased); Marie spouse of Phil Anastasio (living) and Mae (spouse of Douglas Lothrop Sr. also deceased). His surviving siblings are: Jean; Corrine; Jeannette and her husband Peter Smith, Elizabeth and her husband Robert Bates Sr.; Patricia; Collette (spouse of Owen Aaron Sr. also deceased); Frank; Sue and her husband Richard Whitehouse; Linda; Linwood and his wife Joanne; Estelle and her husband Ralph Harrington. Dick leaves behind numerous cousins, nephews and nieces who will also miss him dearly and our loving Uncle Robert Allen of Lewiston who is a young 91. The number of friends he leaves behind are too numerous to count.
We siblings will be forever grateful to Dick, Fred and Jean for stepping up to the plate, each in their turn, to financially support the family after the untimely death of our father who died at the age of 42. My mother was 3 months pregnant with Estelle and the age range of the other 15 of us siblings was: 10 month old twins (Linda and Linwood) to 18 years old Fred.
Services in Dick's memory will be held on Saturday, April 21st at 1 pm at the Grace Bible Church, 74 Deering Rd., Gorham, ME.
Online condolence messages can be submitted at the Chad E. Poitras Cremation and Funeral Service website, www.mainefuneral.com
If desired donations in his memory can be made to the Rangeley Lakes Heritage Trust http://www.rlht.org/.