Dorian Norman Begin Obituary (1923 - 2013)

Waterville, Maine-Dorian Norman Begin, 90, of Waterville, Maine, passed away on Friday, October 18, 2013, at MaineGeneral Medical Center, Augusta, Maine. He was born in Fairfield, Maine on August 31, 1923, the son of the late Omer and Cora (Gilbert) Begin, and brother of Vivian, Omer, and Gloria Begin. He attended the Fairfield schools, and then moved to Quoddy Village in Eastport, Maine to be trained in carpentry by the National Youth Administration. On August 10, 1946, he married the love of his life, Constance V. Leassard, at St. Francis Church in Waterville, Maine. They became lifelong residents of the Fairfield and Waterville area, raised a family of seven children, and built a business as a self-employed contractor/carpenter. On January 2, 1943, he entered the United States Army with the 309th Regiment, and served in the European Theater during World War II. He received the Silver Star for gallantry in action while in Germany on March 10, 1945. He was honorably discharged on January 9, 1946, as Private First Class. Dorian was an active member of the church, and volunteer for fundraisers. He was a communicant of Corpus Christi Parish. He was a member of the Knights of Columbus, Veterans of Foreign Wars, Post 6924, both in Fairfield, Maine, and the American Legion, Post 5, in Waterville, Maine. Dorian’s love was his family and friends. When his sons were young he and a friend started a Boy Scout Troop, and was active in organizing many camping and hiking trips, as well as fund raising events for the troop. This carried over to his family bringing his own family, their friends, and relatives on yearly camping trips to Cathedral Pines. Dorian’s enthusiasm for being surrounded by family and friends carried over to entertaining at his home. He hosted many gatherings, including a daughter’s wedding reception, family reunions, and “camporees”. He was the life of the party! His zest for fun continued with traveling and belonging to a square dance group. He also enjoyed snowmobiling, swimming, horseshoes, and playing cards. Dorian is survived by Constance Begin, his wife of 67 years; his son and daughter-in-law, James and Diane Begin of Benton, Maine, daughters and sons-in-law, Mary Anne and Bill Trafton of Waterville, Maine, Ruth and Pat Berglund of Benton, Maine, Dorene Begin and Michael Wright of South Portland, Maine, and Susan and Scott Crockett of Raymond, Maine; grandchildren, Scott, Andy, Stephen, and Danielle Begin, Aimee Trafton Gilbert, Rusty Flewelling, Dori Flewelling Nadeau, Kurt and Phoebe Crockett; 12 great grandchildren; two sisters, Vivian O’Donnell of Belgrade, Maine, and Gloria Rancourt of Waterville, Maine; and several nieces, nephews, and cousins. A brother, Omer Begin; and two sons, Daniel and John Begin predeceased him. A Mass of Christian burial will be celebrated on Thursday, October 24, at 11 a.m. at Notre Dame Church, Silver Street, Waterville, Maine. Burial will be private at a later date at the Maine Veterans Memorial Cemetery, Mount Vernon Road, Augusta. Donations in his memory may be made to: Disabled American Veterans, Memorial Program, P.O. Box 4301, Cincinnati, OH 45250-0301.