David A. Giroux

BLUE HILL - David A. Giroux, 67, passed away peacefully July 9, 2011, at his home with his loving wife and friends at his side. David waged a courageous battle with pancreatic cancer; it was the only fight he ever lost. David was born June 2, 1944, in Rumford, son of Henry and Ethel (Lloyd) Giroux. David enjoyed the challenges of athletic competition throughout his life and excelled at every sport in which he competed. In high school it was football and wrestling. In his adult years he loved to play racquetball, handball and most of all he enjoyed boxing. He could often be heard working the heavy bag and speed bag in his basement. David was accomplished in the martial arts earning the sixth degree black belt in both Judo and Jujitsu as well as the eighth degree black belt in American Taiho Jitsu International. David's preferred form of relaxation was riding the back roads of coastal Maine on his BMW motorcycle and then on his Harley-Davidson motorcycle. He was very recognizable with his huge smile and bandana covered head. He was fortunate to get one more ride in on a warm spring day this year. David was very proud of his children and enjoyed sharing stories of their accomplishments. He was a devoted father and worked hard to give them the tools they needed to succeed in life. David and Jeanne were inseparable, and they shared a love for each other and of life not often achieved in the relatively short period of time that most of us have on earth. David loved animals and treated his dogs and cats not just as pets, but as cherished family members. David lived a life within a life. Since the age of 10, he knew he wanted to be a Maine State Trooper. In 1966, at age 21, he joined the Maine State Police and graduated from the 24th Training Troop at Camp Keyes, Augusta. His first patrol was in the Norridgewock area of Troop C and a short time later he transferred to Troop E in the Blue Hill area, where he lived while serving the people of Maine until his retirement in 1994. From 1976 to 1982, David served as trainer, instructor, self-defense teacher and mentor to every police officer, warden, deputy sheriff and trooper in the state of Maine while assigned to Maine Criminal Justice Academy and Maine State Police Academy, Waterville. He taught each and every officer who passed through the doors of the academy that if they respected the people they served, the people they served would respect them. In 1980, David was selected to become part of the newly formed State Police Tactical Team. In this capacity he and his fellow team members responded all across the state to deal with the most dangerous of criminal offenders. By 1982, he had already been promoted to the rank of corporal and was promoted again to detective. He was selected to be part of a hand picked group of investigators to be assigned to the various district attorneys' offices and was charged with investigating child abuse allegations. David was an imposing figure but scared and distrustful children warmed to him immediately as he used his best Donald Duck imitation to take their minds off the horrors they had endured. He carefully listened as the children recounted the abuses inflicted upon them by people they trusted and with his savvy intelligence and patience he often was able to convince the abusers to confess to their crimes. David was assigned to the Criminal Investigation Division III that served eastern and northern Maine. He worked on nearly every homicide or major crime in that area until the day he retired. David is still part of the fabric that holds the State Police together. To those who knew him, his name was synonymous with all that was good about law enforcement in Maine. You can see him in every police officer he taught through their determination to do the job as he did. David was a humble man and did not recognize his own greatness. He will be remembered and missed by all who knew him and held in high regard by those who knew him only by his reputation. David is survived by his loving wife of 27 years, Jeanne; son, David A. Giroux II of South Boston, Va.; daughter, Stormy Gale Hobbs and her husband, Ray, of Dansville, Va.; brother, Henry "Sonny" Giroux and his wife, Barbara, of Fort Myers, Fla.; and sister, Patricia Chiasson and her husband, Bernard, of Old Saybrook, Conn. David is survived by an extended family of aunts, uncles, cousins, nieces and nephews. David was predeceased by his father and mother; son, Brett Giroux; and sister, Mary Giroux of Rumford. David's family is very thankful to all of his friends who have been so thoughtful and helpful to him in his final days. Family and friends are invited to a celebration of David's life 11 a.m. July 23 at the George Stevens Academy gymnasium, 23 Union St., Blue Hill, conducted by the Rev. Rob McCall, and any who want to pay tribute to David at that time are encouraged to do so. Those who have "Dave stories" but are unable to speak can put them in writing and they will be placed in a keepsake book for his family. In lieu of flowers, you may make donations in David's name to Alpha Group, care of David A. Giroux, P.O. Box 61, Fairfield, ME 04937, to benefit Maine Wounded Combat Veterans. Arrangements by Jordan-Fernald, 141 South St., Blue Hill. Condolences may be expressed at www.jordanfernald.com.