Thomas O. Auger

AUBURN -- Thomas O. Auger, 82, of Lewiston, died Wednesday, Oct. 6, in Auburn at The Hospice House, surrounded by his loving family, following a long illness.

He was born in Lewiston, on Jan. 14, 1928, the son of Oscar and Evelina (Ouellette) Auger.

Tom was educated in the Auburn school system and showed promise as an outstanding athlete early on. He earned his first varsity letter playing baseball as an eighth-grader while at Webster Grammar School and went on to be a triple-letter athlete at Edward Little High School. He led the Red Eddies to a state championship in basketball in 1945. Upon completion of high school, he signed to pitch for the St. Louis Cardinals.

After a promising start, he was sidelined with a shoulder injury, ending his professional baseball career. He was inducted into The L-A Sports Hall of Fame in 1993.

Tom then enlisted in the Air Force, proudly serving his country from 1951 to 1955. He married the love of his life, Mildred Parent, on Dec. 29, 1951, and together they raised three children.

Upon returning to Maine, Tom became a tire salesman for B.F. Goodrich. He later started his own company, The L&A Tire Co., on Sabattus Street in Lewiston, where his career began by working out of a rented bay with a used tire machine. As the business grew to include auto parts and accessories, L&A Tire became VIP Discount Auto Center.

Tom remained active in his community, donating to numerous causes. He was a man known for his generosity, kindness and sense of humor. He always had a smile and a kind word to say.

Tom is survived by his beloved wife of 59 years, Mildred; a son, Thomas J. Auger and his companion, Lisa Martin, of Wales; two daughters, Carol Sweeney and her husband, Michael, of Falmouth, Nancy Hunt and her husband David of Naples, Fla.; three grandchildren, Thomas Auger, Andrew Sweeney and Timothy Sweeney; and two great-grandchildren, Emma and Brooke Auger.

The family would like to thank the staff at the Lewiston Auburn Dialysis Center for their kindness and professionalism during the care of our loved one.

A Mass of Christian burial honoring Tom's life will be celebrated Monday at 11 a.m. at Holy Family Church. Committal prayers followed by military honors and entombment will be held at St. Peter's Cemetery Mausoleum following church services..

In lieu of flowers, donations in Tom's memory may be made to Androscoggin Home Care and Hospice, 236 Stetson Road, Auburn, ME 04210.

Family and friends are invited to visit 1-6 p.m. Sunday at the Pinette & Lynch Funeral Home, 305 Alfred Plourde Parkway, Lewiston. 784-4023.