LEWISTON – Dennis Andrew Counemanche, 60, of Lewiston, passed away peacefully on Oct. 2, at his home in his sunroom, surrounded by his family, after courageously battling leukemia (AML) for the past seven months.
He was born on Aug. 1, 1946, in Lewiston, to Fernand and Irene (Rancourt) Courtemanche. A graduate of St. Dominic High School in 1965, he further pursued his education at Thomas College, where he obtained a bachelor’s degree in accounting in 1970. On June 20 of the same year, he married his one and only sweetheart, Cecilia (Grenier) Courtemanche. A dedicated worker, he worked for more than 36 years as a revenue agent for the Internal Revenue Service.
He was an active member of St. Philip’s Parish for many years, serving as a eucharistic minister, chairman of the finance committee, member of the liturgy committee and also worked on the capital campaign. He was also a member of the Knights of CoIumbus and served for many years as a member of the Army Reserves.
While attending Thomas College, he became a brother of the Kappa Delta Phi Fraternity. He served Maine Family Federal Credit Union as a volunteer for 20 years. He was a member of the supervisory committee from 1982 until 1992, when he was elected to the board of directors. He provided dedicated leadership as chairman of the board of directors from 1992 until 2002.
An avid golfer, he was an active and competitive member of the Agren Appliance Golf League at the Prospect Hill Golf Course, Additional hobbies included gardening, puttering in the garage and around the house and yard and, most recently, puzzling. He especially loved spending time with his grandchildren and family.
He was a loving, caring, husband, father of four and proud granparent of five grandchildren.
For him, family came first. Ever the giver, he was constantly busy assisting family and friends with everything from moving, to household maintenance. Helping was not considered a chore; he was happy to oblige. As he always said, “This is what families do.” He was more than just a husband, father and pepire; he was a friend to everyone he met. Although he never liked to draw attention to himself and preferred to blend into the crowd, people were somehow always drawn to him. He always had a sparkle in his teasing eyes and an infectious dimpled smile. He was lots of fun to be around, was extremely logical, a fantastic listener, gave great advice, had a hugely positive outlook on life, was widely respected and had a relaxed, calming presence about him. He was extremely strong in mind, body and spirit. He was a fantastic husband, father, brother to nine siblings, all to whom he felt extremely close.
He is survived by his loving wife of 36 years, Cecilia (Grenier) Courtemanche of Lewiston; and their four children, Aimee (Courtemanche) Adams, and husband, Michael Adams, of Lewiston, Denise (Courtemanche) Wills, and husband, David Wills, of Hastings-on-Husdon, N.Y. and Joseph Courtemanche of Lewiston; five loving grandchildren, Devin, Lindsey, Marshal, Holden and Jack; nine brothers and sisters, Donald Courtemanche, and wife, Linda, of Nashua, N.H., Richard Courtemanche, and wife, Diane, of Lewiston, Claire
Tennyson, of Greene, Roland Courtemanche, and wife, Helga, of Nashua, N.H., Doris Maheu, and husband, Claude, of Greene, Robert Courtemanche, and wife, Claire, of Sabattus, Gile Courtemanche, and wife, Linda, of Greene, Linda Ray, and husband, Randall, of Greene and Paul Courtemanche, and wife, Louise, of Auburn; his wife’s brothers and sister, Leon Grenier of Lewiston, Willie Grenier, and wife, Janice, of Waterville, Marie Marquis, and Husband, Gaetan, of Lewiston and Miche DuGren, and life partner, Bert Duran, of Lewiston; along with a multitude of nieces and nephews.
He was predeceased by his parents, Fernand and Irene (Rancourt) Courtemanche; and brothers-in-law, Charles Tennyson and Andre Grenier.
The family especially wishes to thank Dr. Martha Wadleigh, Dr. Vincent ho and Mary Lou Hackett, social worker, Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, as well as the staff of Brigham and Women’s Hospital and Dr. Nicholette Erickson of CMMC.
