J. Alfred

Bouchard, J. Alfred “Al”, 87, died April 3, 2007 at EMMC in Bangor. Arrangements are in the care of Duncan-Graves Funeral Home, Presque Isle.     PRESQUE ISLE – Al Bouchard, 87, passed away quietly at EMMC in Bangor on Tuesday morning, April 3, 2007 following complications from surgery with family members in attendance. Al was born in Presque Isle on November 9, 1919, the son of George and Leona (Moreau) Bouchard.
    He graduated from Presque Isle High School and lived his life in Presque Isle and at the family camp on Cross Lake in Guerrette. He served in the U.S. Army Coast Artillery during WWII and saw duty in the Philippines and Japan following VJ Day. Al was employed all his life by the Great Atlantic and Pacific Tea Co. (A&P) as office manager at the regional offices in Presque Isle and later at the processing plant in Fort Fairfield. Additionally, Al fondly remembered his summers traveling for the company along the Eastern seaboard during the summer produce packing seasons in the 1950’s.
He enjoyed over 45 summers at the family camp, which served as the family gathering location for all those years. This became even more prevalent in the later years when weeks were shared together with all the family, grandchildren, relatives and friends. Al was an active member of St. Mary’s Catholic Church in Presque Isle, a fourth degree member of the Knights of Columbus, a charter member of the Presque Isle Barbershop Chorus, following his wife’s passing, he became a volunteer at the Presque Isle Nursing  and Rehabilitation Center and a member of the Retired Senior Volunteer Program receiving numerous citations and awards for volunteer service exceeding 500 hours per year. Additionally, Al also served as a bereavement aid at St. Mary’s Catholic Church, and at the Aroostook Medical Center. Al will be fondly missed and remembered by all who knew him and shared his enthusiasm for life.
    He is survived by his eldest son James “Jim” Bouchard and his wife Connie of Goffstown, NH, his daughter Mary Cochran and her husband Steve of Lebanon, OH, his son Paul’s family, Heidi and Brian Corliss of Winterport, seven grandchildren, his brother Adrian and family of Presque Isle, his sister Elizabeth Fritz and family of Grand Forks, ND,and numerous cousins, nieces, nephews, and many, many friends. He was predeceased by his wife S. Arline “Lee” Bouchard in 2000, his youngest son Paul in 1992, his brothers Louis and George.
    A mass of Christian burial was celebrated 10 AM Monday, April 9, 2007 at St. Mary’s Catholic Church Presque Isle with the Very Rev. Jean LaBrie Celebrant. Friends called 7-9PM Sunday at the Duncan-Graves Funeral Home, 30 Church St., Presque Isle. Interment will be at North Main Street Catholic Cemetery later this spring. In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations be forwarded in his remembrance to the Presque Isle Rehabilitation and Nursing Home Activities Fund, 162 Academy St., Presque Isle, ME 04769. Condolences may be expressed at www.duncan-graves.com.