Fernand "Coe" E. Potvin

Fernand (Coe) E. Potvin, 94, formerly of Turner, Me passed away peacefully on Wednesday October 8th, at the Maine Veterans Home in South Paris surrounded by his loving family. He was born in Auburn, Me on October 22, 1920, the son of Arthur and Victorine Cote Potvin. He attended school in Auburn and enlisted in the Army-Air Corps in January 1942 as a baker. During World War II, Fernand was stationed in India and Iceland. While in India, he sponsored two young adults so they could attend a ministry to become priests. He was also in London at the time St. Paul's Cathedral was bombed. Fernand loved learning languages and could recite the Lord's Prayer in at least five different languages including English, French, Latin, Benghali, and Spanish. In his late 60's, he took classes at the adult education center to further improve his Spanish. While in the military, Fernand earned the EAMET Ribbon, Good Conduct Medal, Victory Medal, American Theatre Ribbon, and the Asiatic-Pacific Theatre Ribbon. He was discharged in November 1945. Upon returning home to Auburn, he worked in a shoe factory where he met his wife Yvette R. Raymond. They married on Thanksgiving Day in 1948 and had eleven children, thirteen grandchildren, and 18 great-grandchildren. In 1950, Fernand purchased Patty Ann Pies where he baked pies for several years. He later worked at Jake and Andy's Donut Shop in Auburn and Decoster's Egg Farm in Turner until he retired in 1982. His hobbies included playing baseball and tennis, ice skating, and playing football with his children. He enjoyed the horse races, playing cards, gardening, watching sports, and singing country music. Fernand is survived by his wife of nearly 67 years Yvette Potvin; five daughters, Rejeanne Bisson and her husband Michel of Lac Megantic, P.Q., Canada, Denise Potvin of Hallowell, Ann Nichols and husband Clay of Turner, Joline Timberlake and husband Jeff of Turner, and Monique Cote and husband Stephen of Lewiston; five sons, Robert and his wife Stephanie of Lexington, Ok, Donald of Lewiston, Richard of Auburn, Gerard and his wife Arlene of Virginia Beach, Va, and David and his wife Sally of Leesburg, Va.; 12 grandchildren, and 17 great-grandchildren; and sister Theresa of Auburn. He was predeceased by his daughter Gina; his granddaughter Desiree; bothers Maurice, Andre, and Ernest; and sisters Simone Lachance and Yvette Moulin. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Maine Veterans Home, 477 High St., South Paris, Me 04281.

Visitation hours will be at the Fortin Group in Auburn, Monday, October 12, 2015 from 2:00 pm to 4:00 pm and from 6:00 pm to 8:00 pm. Mass Of Christian Burial will be celebrated at St. Phillips Church in Auburn on Tuesday, October 13, 2015 from10:00 am to 11:00 am Burial will be held at Gracelawn Memorial Park in Auburn directly after the Mass.