Freak wood splitting accident claims life of Monticello man

Karen Donato-Duff
Staff writer
    Tragedy struck the small community of Monticello late Monday afternoon, when 58-year-old resident David Violette was fatally injured, while splitting wood on the outskirts of Houlton.
    Violette had spent the day at his job as Superintendent of Maintenance at the Aroostook County Courthouse and Jail in Houlton. When he didn’t meet his wife, Norma at work late that afternoon, his son, Laurel went to check on him.
    According to Chief Butch Asselin of the Houlton Police Department the call came in at 5:54 p.m. Patrolman Ezekiel Collins responded assisted by Patrolmen Erica Pelletier, Jared Sylvia and Sgt. Troy Fitzpatrick. State Police Officer, Dennis Quint was passing by the scene on U.S Route 1 near the Littleton town line and stopped to assist. The Houlton Fire and Ambulance were also called to the location.
    It was determined that Violette had been using a vintage splitting maul and a sledgehammer to split wood. A piece of the metal blade was broken off by the force and lodged into Violette’s thigh, severing the femoral artery. According to the police report, Violette was able to get to his vehicle and drive a short distance before passing out. His vehicle continued until it ran into a small tree. A fire resulted from the friction of the spinning tires and caused some fire damage to the bed and cab of the pickup. Violette was removed from the vehicle before he was in any danger from the fire.
    Violette had grown up in Littleton, attended elementary school there. He graduated from Houlton High School in 1969 and from Eastern Maine Technical College in 1971. He had been with the county facility nine years and prior to that worked for Crawford Mobile Homes. Violette served 32 years as a National Guardsman.
    His co-workers were in shock the following day, hardly believing that the softspoken man was no longer with them. Linda Sennett and Pat Brown, who work in the Registry of Deeds office at the Courthouse, commented about his love for his family. He often talked about his children and grandchildren and how proud he was of them. Just recently he had brought in a little granddaughter and while she was having a snack, “Grampy” was seen holding her doll and watering the flowers outside. They commented on his easygoing nature. He always had a smile, never complained.
    “David was the guy to go to when there was a maintenance problem,” said Sennett. He was from the “old school” always trying to fix the original, before buying a replacement,” she added.  
    Violette was known for the special touch he had growing flowers around the county facility. He often provided fresh flowers for their offices. They will miss his smile and the flowers that could brighten any day.
    Violette was born December 14, 1949 in Houlton, the son of Joseph and Margaret Violette of New Limerick. He is survived by his wife of 37 years Norma Violette of Monticello; three children, Laurel and his wife Holly of Houlton, Chris and his wife Jennifer of Littleton, Rebekah and her husband, Brad Lambert of Houlton; 7 grandchildren; two brothers, Glen and his wife, Tish of Littleton and Peter Violette of Fredericksburg, Va.; several nieces, nephews and cousins. His daughter, Michelle, predeceased him.
    Friends may call 7-9 p.m. on Thursday, September 25, 2008 at Calvary Pentecostal Church, in Monticello where funeral services will be held at 1 p.m. on Friday, September 26. Arrangements by Bowers Funeral Home.