More detail on this person: Cumberland - Lucien R. "Joe" Garneau, 75, LTC U.S. Army, retired,
died Thursday, April 26, 2007. He dies peacefully at home surrounded by his loving family.
He was born Aug. 16, 1931, in Rumford, the son of Roger and Augustine Garneau. Joe, as his friends
knew him, graduated from Stephens High School, Rumford, in 1949, and the University of Maine, Orono,
in 1954. Joe took pride in having been a starting linebacker for the Black Bears football team when
in 1951, they experienced their first undefeated season.
Joe entered the U.S. Army under the ROTC program as a second lieutenant in 1955. In 1956, he
graduated from flight school and spent the next 18 months in Korea. While there, Joe accepted a
regular army commission. His assignments included two tours in Vietnam; the first as a company
executive officer and the second as a company commander. He retired after 20 years of service in
1975. Joe's second career began following his retirement from the military. He worked in retail
for Porteous, Mitchell and Braun, where he eventually rose to the position of Vice President,
Director of Stores.
Joe is survived by his devoted wife of 48 years, Virginia "Ginny" Garneau; and four children, Lisa
Garneau of Hampden, Greg Garneau and Steve Torres of Kihea, Hawaii, Jeff Garneau and Chuck
DeBuque of Mountain View, Calif., and Lori and Jay Hyland of Readfield. Joe was also blessed with
seven grandchildren, Aarika, DJ, Maryah, and Dakota DuPlissie and Sage, Emma, and Quinn
Hyland.
Joe really loved his grandchildren and enjoyed being around them very much. He took great pleasure
in their success, whether in academics or athletics. He was very proud of the strong devotion and
relationships between his children and grandchildren. Family was extremely important to Joe.
Joe's family wishes to express their sincere gratitude to Thomas J. Ryan, Jr. M.C., for his
extraordinary dedication to Joe's health and well-being for the past 13 years. Dr. Ryan held a
special place in Joe's heart and will always be remembered as a member of the "Garneau" family.
Per Joe's request, there will be no visiting hours. The funeral Mass will be on Thursday, May 3,
2007, at 10 a.m. at Sacred Heart Catholic Church in Yarmouth. A gathering of family and friends
will be held following the Mass in the reception area of Sacred Heart Church. Burial will be at
Moss Side Cemetery in Cumberland, following the reception.
This information was last updated 05/18/2016
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