ADRIEN R. PATENAUDE

ADRIEN R. PATENAUDE - NEWPORT - Adrien Rufus Patenaude, of Newport, passed away on May 13, 2014, at age 64. He died peacefully at Fletcher Allen Health Center after a brief and courageous battle with esophageal cancer. He is now gone to his heavenly Father. Adrien was born in Newport on April 10, 1950, to Joseph and Lucille (Fontaine) Patenaude, and grew up on their farm in Holland, Vt. Adrien attended Holland Central Schools and North Country Union High School and graduated in the Class of 1970. He attended the Swain School of Design in New Bedford, Mass., and graduated with a bachelor's degree in graphic design. He had various jobs, and later had his own company, in the Burlington area, worked in Maine, and finally returned to run a business in his hometown area of Newport. Adrien was a very talented artist with many wonderful paintings and also produced many local signs. He had a passion for nature and landscape scenes and sold paintings locally and internationally. His paintings have been displayed in many different galleries all over New England, and are also on display at Jay Peak and many other places. His artwork will live on in all of his paintings. He was a longtime member of the Saco Bay Artists in Maine. Adrien was very generous with donations of his paintings to many local worthy causes. He was well known in the Newport and the surrounding area. His signature name was Adrien "Yellow" Patenaude because he loved yellow so much and put it in all of his paintings. He recently finished illustrating a book for the famous poet and author, Jerry Johnson. The name of the book is "Noah's Song," and will soon have a special edition coming out in Adrien's memory. There is also a CD with the book, with "Noah's Song" sung by Jon Gailmor. He is survived by a son, Aaron Patenaude, who is stationed in Fort Drum, N.Y.; and Aaron's mother, Carol Forbes of Leland, N.C. He is also survived by his loving girlfriend of 11 years, Patricia Warner of Newport; her two children, son, Steve (Jean) Warner, and three children, of Springfield, Vt., and daughter, Loraine (Gene), and two children of Massachusetts; his parents, Joseph and Lucille (Fontaine) Patenaude; three brothers and five sisters, George (Gale) Patenaude of Richmond, Diane (John) Forcier of Colchester, Susan (Bertrand) Letourneau of Holland, Marcel (Gaetane) Patenaude of Holland, Joanne (Michael) Aulis of Franklin, N.H., Christine (Gary) Sykes of Norton, Alan Patenaude of Rutland, and Anna (Jeff) Hutchins of Westford; and many aunts, uncles, cousins, nieces, nephews, great-nieces and great-nephews. He was predeceased by his twin sisters, Faith and Hope, who died at birth in 1949. Pat Warner and Adrien's family wish to express their appreciation and gratitude for all the care that Adrien has received for the last 4 1/2 years during his kidney dialysis, both in the hospital and home dialysis teams and doctors, both at North Country Hospital and at Fletcher Allen Health Care. Also a heartfelt thank you to all the doctors, nurses, and other staff at Fletcher Allen Health Care who helped Adrien in the last two extremely difficult weeks of his esophageal cancer. He knew most of you by name and was always sharing his passion for his art with all of you. A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated on Saturday, May 17, 2014, at 11 a.m. at St. Edward's Catholic Church, Elm Street, in Derby Line. There will be no calling hours, per Adrien's request. Burial will follow at St. Edward's Cemetery, Elm Street, in Derby Line. Online condolences may be sent to the family through the funeral home website at: www.curtis-britch.com. Arrangements are entrusted to the care of Curtis-Britch-Converse-Rushford Funeral Home, locally family owned and operated. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in memory of Adrien Patenaude to: FAHC Renal Home Program, 35 Joy Dr., So. Burlington, VT 05403.