Emile G. Thibault

LEWISTON: Sergeant First Class Emile Gaston Thibault (Gus), a long-time resident of Lewiston, passed away on February 14, 2017 of natural causes at Russell Park Manor in Lewiston. Emile was a veteran of the Korean Conflict and the Viet Nam War, spending fifteen of his twenty-year service to our country deployed overseas. Emile was the oldest son of Emile A and Alice C Thibault. His brothers Regis and Andre and his sisters Carmen, Delores, Angela, and Andrea will miss him. Gus was a student at Holy Family Parochial School and earned his high school GED after joining the US Army when he was seventeen. His nickname in the Army was Frenchy because French was his first language. He was very adept at languages speaking English, French, German, and a bit of Chinese. After retiring, he spent twenty-five years with the Hall & Knight Company and as an independent master electrician. Emile was predeceased by Ruth Gramlich Thibault, his wife for thirty-two years. Emile is survived by their children Ludwig (Annette) Thibault of Tennessee, Theresia (Randy) Sullivan of South Carolina, Michele (Herman) Rich of South Carolina, Dominic (Carla) Thibault of Lewiston. He is survived by his loving wife and devoted caregiver Veronique Gagne Thibault; they would have celebrated their thirtieth wedding anniversary on February 14, and his step-daughter Lise (Dale) Harrington of Lewiston.Emile was blessed with eighteen grandchildren and twenty great-grandchildren. Gus was especially proud of two grandsons who followed his example, joined the Army, and served several tours in Iraq and Afghanistan. Condolences may be shared with Emile's family at www.thefortingrouplewiston.com

A Mass of Christian Burial with Military Honors will be celebrated at Our Lady of the Rosary Church 131 High St. in Sabattus on February 24, 2017 at 11am. Emile will be interred at the Maine Veterans Memorial Cemetery in Augusta, Maine at a later date. Per the family's request, they ask that donations be made in place of ordering or sending flowers. Those wishing, in lieu of flowers, may make a charitable contribution in his memory to the Disabled American Veterans Charity through their website www.DAV.org/donate. Arrangements are under the care of The Fortin Group Funeral Home, Cremation and Monument Services 70 Horton St. Lewiston, 784-4584.