A review of this week’s obituaries from the Biddeford Saco area
ALDORIEN E. BELISLE, Jr.
Sept. 18, 1932 – Aug. 18, 2026
BOHLENDER FUNERAL CHAPEL | Aldorien E. Belisle Jr., 93, passed away on August 18, 2026, in Fort Collins, Colorado.
He was born on September 18, 1932, in Biddeford, Maine, to Julia and Aldorien Belisle. One of 13 children, Aldorien grew up surrounded by a large and loving family. His siblings included Ronald Belisle, Richard Belisle, David Belisle, Ralph Belisle, Lucille Barker, Paulette Souliere, Lorraine Landry, Rita Desjardins, Jane Descoteaux, Shirley Roy, Patricia Polito, and Elaine Dotter.
He was preceded in death by his brothers Ralph and Ronald and his sister Lucille.
Aldorien dedicated 27 years of his life to military service. He began his service by enlisting in the United States Navy and later attended the U.S. Naval Academy. He went on to earn a bachelor’s degree in Military Science from the University of Nebraska Omaha, where he was commissioned as a second lieutenant in the United States Army. Through a distinguished Army career, he served with commitment and leadership, retiring in 1979 at the rank of lieutenant colonel.
After his retirement from the military, Aldorien began a second professional career as a defense contractor in Colorado Springs. His life reflected the values of service, discipline, and dedication that he carried from his military years into every chapter that followed.
Aldorien shared 57 years of marriage with his beloved wife, Colleen “Connie” Belisle, who preceded him in death. Together they enjoyed traveling and creating a lifetime of memories with one another. Among their most cherished traditions was their annual trip to Kennebunkport, Maine, a place that held special meaning for them.
He was the father of Michelle McPherran and the late Monique Belisle from a previous marriage. With Connie, he was the father of Brent Belisle and stepfather to Christy Fitzgerald and John Belisle. He was preceded in death by his daughter Monique.
Aldorien is survived by his children Michelle McPherran, Brent Belisle, Christy Fitzgerald, and John Belisle; his siblings Richard Belisle, David Belisle, Paulette Souliere, Lorraine Landry, Rita Desjardins, Jane Descoteaux, Shirley Roy, Patricia Polito, and Elaine Dotter; as well as grandchildren, great-grandchildren, nieces, nephews, cousins, and many friends.
Aldorien will be remembered as a man who served his country with honor; and as someone who treasured the time spent Connie, especially the travels and traditions he shared with her. He will be missed by all who knew and loved him. | FULL OBITUARY
LUCILLE T. VANSSE
June 3, 1947 – Aug. 27, 2026
COTE FUNERAL HOME | Lucille Therese Vanasse, 79, of Saco and formerly of Biddeford, passed away on Thursday, August 27, 2026, at Maine Medical Center Biddeford.
She was born in Biddeford on June 3, 1947, a daughter of Edger and Yvette (Boissonneault) Tremblay.
Lucy was educated at St. Joseph’s School and graduated class of 1966.
While working as a waitress at The Puritan, a local teen hang-out spot, she met Ricky Vanasse. The two became inseparable and later married on August 3, 1968. They had many happy years together.
Lucy was from a generation of hard workers. She was employed at Delorge’s Bakery in Biddeford until it closed, then worked at Ralph Pill Electric Supply for many years. She changed careers, moving on to The Lighthouse in Kennebunk until a position became available at Biddeford Savings Bank. She enjoyed serving her community with loyalty for all of her working career.
Lucille lived a quiet life filled with love and devotion to her family and friends. She enjoyed knitting and quilting when time permitted. Lucy also enjoyed listening to her favorite artists, The Beatles and Elvis. She was an avid reader, especially following the works of Stephen King. Her calming presence will be missed by many.
She was predeceased by her husband: Ricky Vanasse on April 20, 2011, and by her parents.
She is survived by her daughter: Melodie Galler and husband Robert, her brother and sister, and her grandchildren: Lauren Galler and Aidan Galler.
In accordance with the family’s wishes, services will be private. | FULL OBITUARY
DONNA M. LANCASTER
Aug. 10, 1946 – Aug. 28, 2026
Donna M. Lancaster, 80, of Saco, passed away on Friday, August 28, 2026 at Gosnell Memorial Hospice House in Scarborough.
Donna was born in Springfield, Ohio on August 10, 1946, a daughter of William Arthur Lambert and Wilda (Calhoun) Lambert. Most of her growing up years took place in the state of New York. Donna relocated to Maine in 1977, and met her husband, John Lancaster in 1982. The couple married on October 10, 1984, and settled in Saco.
Donna periodically worked for various companies outside the home, but her most rewarding role was that of devoted mother and homemaker.
Donna was known by all as a loving, compassionate, giving lady who wanted only to help others. One of her favorite hobbies was to spend the day out shopping, but most of the time her purchases were given as gifts to loved ones. She had a talent for baking and decorating beautiful cakes, and even won a number of blue ribbons for her entries at the Fryeburg Fair.
Most of all, Donna loved spending time with her husband, children and grandchildren. She will be dearly missed by all who knew and loved her.
Donna was predeceased by her son, Rich Lancaster in 2001.
She is survived by her loving husband, John Lancaster of 42 years; by her daughter, Robin Jarvis and husband Eugene; by her son, Joe Lancaster and wife Irene; by her two step-sons, John Antonsen and Steven Kaneko; by her two grandchildren, Shauna Lancaster and Cody Lancaster; by her step-grandchildren, Sara, Rebecca, Savanna, John, Matthew, Mai Kaneko and Yoshi Kaneko; by 4 step-great-grandchildren; by her brother, Charles Lambert and wife Jean; by her sister, Maureen Gardner; as well as by several nieces and nephews.
Per Donna’s request, all services are private. | FULL OBITUARY
CATHRYN A. LAMBERT
Aug. 16, 1959 – Sept. 1, 2026
COTE FUNERAL HOME | Cathryn A. Lambert, 67, of Sanford, passed away on Tuesday, September 1, 2026 at MaineHealth Maine Medical Center – Biddeford.
Cathryn was born in Biddeford, Maine on August 16, 1959, a daughter of Raymond and Dorothy (St. Onge) Turgeon. She grew up in Biddeford and was educated in the Biddeford School System.
As a young adult, Cathryn resided in Freeport where she worked at various local businesses, including a position she held as chambermaid at a popular Freeport hotel. She then lived in Biddeford for a brief time, eventually making Sanford her permanent home. Cathryn worked as a CRMA for Biddeford Estates, devoting 17 years of compassionate care to her residents.
As a young girl, Cathryn enjoyed spending time at Wells Beach with her sister Jackie. In her later years she took great pride in planting and tending to beautiful flower gardens around her home. She also raised and cared for many cats over the years, and all were very dear to her heart.
Cathryn will be dearly missed by all who knew her.
She was predeceased by her father, Raymond Turgeon in 2022, and by her mother, Dorothy Turgeon in 2025.
Cathryn is survived by her four children, Linwood Grover, Darlena Grover, Raymond Grover and Joseph Grover; by her two sisters, Jackie Unsworth and husband David, and Sandra Allison; by her longtime friend, Jamie Wilson; by her grandchildren and great-grandchildren; by several nieces and nephews; by her dear friends, Paul and Deb L’Heureux; as well as by her many close friends from work.
All services will be private. | FULL OBITUARY
ROBERT E. BRADSTREET
Oct. 28, 1952 – Aug. 28, 2026
HOPE MEMORIAL CHAPEL | Robert Bradstreet was born on October 28, 1952, in Augusta, Maine, to Kenneth Edwin Bradstreet and his biological mother, Mary Palmer.
He passed away on August 28, 2026, in Biddeford, Maine. He had many fond memories of his stepmother, Jenny Bradstreet, whom he and his family knew and loved. Robert was the last surviving son of Kenneth.
Robert is survived by his nephews, Ken, Kevin, and Jon, and his nieces, Kate and Elizabeth, as well as their children and grandchildren.
Robert was an avid motorcycle enthusiast and rider. He had a passion for working on his Nash Rambler and on the motorcycles he owned. Earlier in his life, he expressed his creativity through canvas paintings and sculptures.
In his later years, Robert gave back to others by working as a direct support specialist, providing support to individuals dealing with alcohol and addiction and to those with mental illness.
Robert will be remembered for his sense of humor, wit, and the many stories he shared with those who knew him. Whether weird, made up, or based on his own reality of the world, his stories could make people laugh. He was a free spirit, and those who knew him will remember the laughter and stories he shared.
Services will be private. | FULL OBITUARY
CLAIRE T. BOLDUC
Feb. 28, 1949 – Aug. 29, 2026
HOPE MEMORIAL CHAPEL | Claire Bolduc passed away on August 29, 2026, at St. Andre’s Healthcare in Biddeford. She was born on February 28, 1949, to Arthur and Germaine (Letourneau) Danis.
Claire was a Catholic and attended St. Andre’s School in Biddeford. She was a parishioner of St. Andre’s Church and later St. Joseph Church.
Throughout her career, Claire worked at Herman Shoe, Shape, and the Biddeford schools as a custodian. She especially enjoyed interacting with the students.
Claire enjoyed going to the beach, watching anything on HGTV, and spending time with her family, especially her grandchildren. She will be remembered for the blueberry muffins she made often and for her love of the smell of lilacs. She was resilient, loving, and always willing to help others.
She was predeceased by her husband, Ralph Bolduc; her parents, Arthur and Germaine (Letourneau) Danis; her brothers, Renold, Leo, Roger, and Romeo; and her sister, Pricille Danis.
Claire is survived by her sister, Yvette Danis Gaudette of Biddeford; her son, Keith Bolduc of Freeport; her daughter, Paula Leblanc and her partner, Joe Testa, of Biddeford; her grandchildren, Jason Hussey and his partner, Madison Hussey, of Biddeford, and Katrina Leeman and her husband, John, of Edgewood, New Mexico; her three great-grandchildren, Rosalina, River-Lynn, and Spencer; and several nieces and nephews.
Committal will be held at St. Joseph Cemetery in Biddeford on Tuesday, September 8, at 11 a.m. | FULL OBITUARY
LINDA L. FONDAK
June 19, 1946 – Sept. 1, 2026
DENNETT, CRAIG & PATE | Linda L. Fondak, 80, of McKenney Road, Saco, passed away Tuesday Sept. 1, 2026, at her home with her family by her side.
She was born in Biddeford on June 19, 1946, the daughter of Elliot and Hazel Madden Billings.
Linda graduated from Old Orchard Beach High School. She earned her LPN at the school at Maine Medical Center and then received her bachelor’s in nursing from Westbrook College.
Linda worked as a Labor and Delivery Nurse for many years and later became the Director of Obstetrics at Southern Maine Medical Center. In retirement she worked as a school nurse in Saco, Dayton and Old Orchard Beach.
She enjoyed going to Florida with her sister Nancy, traveling the world with her family, and Saturday shopping trips with her daughter and grandkids. Linda also enjoyed laying on the beach and by her pool. She was the President of the Flamingo Club of Pompano Beach.
Linda is predeceased by her son Nicholas Jr. and her brothers Robert and Elliot Billings.
Survivors include her husband Nicholas Fondak Sr. of Saco, a daughter Stacy Fondak Hand of Saco and her husband James, a sister Nancy Billings Pineau and her husband Norm Pineau of Scarborough and three grandchildren Olivia, Emily, and Allyson Hand.
Visiting hours are to be held Thursday, September 10, from 9:30 to 11 a.m. at the United Baptist Church, Main St, Saco. An 11 a.m. Funeral will be held at the church and officiated by Rev. Beverly Lowell.
Burial will follow at South Buxton Cemetery for her immediate family, where she will be laid to rest near her son, Nicholas.
Memorial donations may be made in her memory to Andwell Hospice, 236 Stetson Drive. Auburn, ME., 04210 or to the Maine Cancer Society. | FULL OBITUARY
The Biddeford Gazette publishes local obituaries as a community service with no charge to the families and survivors
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