OBITUARIES for Thursday, February 19, 2026

VIRGINIA S. BOURGOIN

VASSALBORO – Virginia “Ginnie” Suzanne (McCabe) Bourgoin, 82, passed away on Saturday, February 7, 2026, following a courageous battle with End-Stage Kidney Disease. She was born in Middletown, Ohio, to William C. McCabe and Mary E. McCabe.

When she was 12, her family moved to Guaynabo, a suburb of San Juan, Puerto Rico. Fluent in Spanish, she embraced the culture and carried it with her throughout her life.

Ginnie married Stuard D. Robertson II, in 1962, and together they welcomed their son, Stuart Douglas Robertson III, and daughter, Deborah “Debbie” Michelle Robertson Madore. In 1990, she married her second husband, Lawrence Joseph Bourgoin, with whom she shared 28 years until his passing in 2018.

Ginnie resided in Vassalboro with her daughter, Debbie. Throughout her life she lived in several states, including New Yok, Virginia, Massachusetts, Texas, and Alabama, before finally making her home in Maine. She loved traveling – Alaska was one of her favorite destinations.

Ginnie dedicated many years to serving the Waterville community. She worked at Emma’s, Howard Johnson’s, The Fenway, The Jefferson, and Mei Lam Lau, one of Waterville’s finest Chinese restaurants. She also worked at the Hallmark store at the Elm Plaza, volunteered as a “candy striper” at Oak Grove Nursing Home, all in Waterville, and ran a daycare, lovingly caring for many children.

A free spirit, Ginnie loved to dance, ride motorcycles, and enjoy Friday night dinners at the Waterville Elks Club. Her greatest joy was her family – her son, Dougie, daughter, Debbie, granddaughter, Haley Madore Emery, great-grandson, Jax Emery.

Ginnie treasured her lifelong friendships, especially with Jeannie Williams, Sonya Morin, and her sister-in-law, Janice Robertson Pooler Mathieu. She shared a deep bond with her brother, William “Skip” McCabe, who passed in 2023. She cherished family gatherings in her hometown and loved spending time with her extended family, sister-in-law, Peggy McCabe; niece, Lisa McCabe, niece, Ella McCabe; nephew, Danny McCabe, his wife Krissy, and their son Dominic; nephew, Steven McCabe; sister-in-law, Carolyn McCabe, and her “twin, “Bobby McCabe. Ginnie often spoke fondly of the special memories she shared with the Pooler and Robertson families, whom she held close to her heart.

In accordance with her wishes, a brief interment will be held at the Maine Veterans’ Cemetery, Committal Shelter, Civic Center Drive, 129 Blue Star Avenue, in Augusta, on Friday, February 20, at noon, where she will be laid to rest alongside Lawrence at the niche in the Columbarium.

Please visit Ginnie’s memorial page at https://svremembrancecenter.com/obituaries/ginnie-bourgoin where condolences, photos, and special memories may be shared.

JOHN J. MURPHY

OAKLAND – John Joseph Murphy, 78, passed away on Monday, February 9, 2026.

John was born in Newark, New Jersey, on February 11, 1947, to Joseph and Elizabeth Murphy.

He grew up in River Edge, New Jersey, where he attended RiverDell High School and graduated in the class of 1964. It was in New Jersey where he met his wife of 52 years, Maureen.

Growing up, John was a curious child, always wanting to know how things worked. In his youth, his interests included reading, fishing, building most anything, and playing with the neighborhood kids. His curiosity, coupled with his love for automobiles, led him to pursue a lifelong and successful career in the automobile industry. John earned many awards including the title of Ford Senior Master Technician. He took immense pride in his work, having many customers who would only allow him to work on their vehicles.

After getting married, John and Maureen moved to Maine where he was hired as a technician at Pullen Ford (now Central Maine Ford). The Pullens quickly became family, and he was proudly employed at the dealership for over 40 years. In his retirement, John enjoyed spending extra time pursuing his hobby of target shooting. He was an active member of The Capital City Rifle and Pistol Club and Friends of the NRA. There he met many friends as they shared their passion in the sport of target shooting. John enjoyed drag racing, ’60s rock music, traveling, feeding family and friends, being the family historian, solving any problem presented to him, and was a devoted caregiver to his wife.

John’s greatest pride was in his family. He and Maureen raised two daughters, Amy Cone (Will) and Bridget McHale (Rick). He also had four grandsons, Tyler and Josh Cone and Ben and Ryan McHale. They counted on their Grandpa as someone who could fix anything, build anything and knew “everything”. They always looked forward to their visits with him, knowing it would include good food and conversation.

John was known for being a true and loyal friend. He still kept in touch with friends from his childhood and through the years built strong friendships that became more like family. His friends always knew they could count on him, and over the years, he also counted on them.

John was predeceased by his parents, Joseph and Elizabeth Murphy, his in-laws, Joseph and Veronica Connors; nephew, Kevin Murphy and his wife, Maureen, who he recently lost and missed dearly.

In addition to his children and grandchildren, John is also survived by his brother, Bob Murphy (Peg), brothers-in-law, Mike Connors (Sandra), and Kevin Connors (Fay); and his nephew, Chris Murphy, who filled the role as the son he never had. He is also survived by several special nieces and nephews, who he enjoyed connecting with on family vacations and close friends, who have added to his adventures in life.

Visitation will take place at Veilleux Funeral Home, on Saturday March 14, at 1 p.m., with a celebration of life at 2 p.m. A reception will follow, at a location TBA.

Services are under the care of Veilleux-Redington-Lawry Brothers, 8 Elm St., Waterville. An online guestbook may be signed and memories shared at http://www.vrlfuneralhome.com

In lieu of flowers donations can be made to Oakland Fire Fighters Association, P.O. Box 187, Oakland, ME 04963, or to the Capital City Junior Rifle Club, attention Julian Beal, 33 Pinewood Drive, Belgrade, ME 04917.

WILLIAM P. AVERY

BELGRADE – William Preston Avery “Bill”, 40, died unexpectedly at his home in Belgrade, on Wednesday, February 11, 2026. He was born in Middletown, Connecticut, July 9, 1985, to Brian and Ronda (Pelotte) Avery, of Belgrade.

Bill graduated from the auto body technician program at Vinal Technical High School in Middletown, Connecticut.

Bill was a true patriot. He was a man of many interests and talents. He loved the field of security, service and protection. He was employed by Paragon/Ameritas for the past two years as a DHS Security Officer at the Muskie Center, in Augusta, and Brinks prior to that.

He recently had been serving as a proud member of Belgrade Fire and Rescue since 2022, a duty he took very seriously and loved wholeheartedly. He served as a volunteer from the age of 14 starting in the East Hampton Fire Department, in Connecticut, where his father and uncle, grandfathers and sisters also served. He moved to Haddam Neck Fire Department, in Connecticut, and served several years there.

Bill was a member of Capital City Gun Club, in Augusta, a favorite place to train and have fun. He was an extremely knowledgeable marksman and would share the knowledge with anyone that would seek it. Bill was an avid hunter and bow instructor for the state of Connecticut. He loved the outdoors and fostered in his children self-sufficiency by hunting and fishing and taking care of the land.

He loved his heritage and was declared a warrior at a young age. His native name, given by his grandparents, was Little Bear. He would work security and held the position of fire keeper at Pow Wows from a young age. He enjoyed attending men’s council in Northern Maine with his Pepe. He and his sister were flown to Alaska with his Pepe by the governor of Alaska to attend their first Pow Wow which his Pepe helped to organize.

Bill had a deep love for his family, and he never met a stranger.

Bill received commendations and awards, most recently from Paragon for helping a woman who was having a medical emergency at the Muskie Center. He received recognition this year from his fire company for being Top Responder (Most calls responded to) He put his heart and soul into keeping people safe and secure.

Bill loved to laugh and was always waiting for the next opportunity to crack a joke or pull a prank. He had the ability to put people at ease in any situation and was always a professional.

Bill had an amazing love for his family; his wife and children were his entire world.

He was a big kid at heart and loved being involved in his children’s activities, making sure other kids were welcomed. Bill loved to be involved in anything that involved others. He was very proud to be a part of the security detail at his church on Sundays and any other time they needed him.

He was predeceased by his brother, Norman James Avery, December 21, 1993.

He is survived by his parents, Brian and Ronda ( Pelotte) Avery; his wife and true love, “the one” Diana (Lavoie) Avery; his children Spirit Avery 15, Aurora Avery 7, Matthew 6; his sisters Brandi Rodriguez, of East Hampton, Connecticut, Caitlin Avery, of Middletown Connecticut; his brother-in-law and sister-in-law Steve and Kathy Lavoie, of Colorado; nieces, Angel and Cheyenne Rodriguez; nephews, Robert Roderiguez and Milo Lavoie; aunts and uncles, George and Tammi Avery, of Franklin, Connecticut, James Pelotte and Kim Davis, of East Hampton, Connecticut; grandmothers: Lynn Avery Peszynski and Ruth Pelotte, both of East Hampton, Connecticut; several cousins.

Calling hours will take place at Veilleux Funeral Home, at 8 Elm Street, Waterville, on Friday, February 20, 2026, from 6 – 8 p.m.

Services and a Celebration of Life will be held Saturday, February 21, 2026, at 1 p.m. at Faith Evangelical Church, on Kennedy Memorial Drive, in Waterville.

Services are under the care of Veilleux-Redington-Lawry Brothers, 8 Elm Street, Waterville. An online guestbook may be signed and memories shared at http://www.vrlfuneralhome.com.

GLORIA A. TOWLE

BELGRADE – Gloria Arlene (Kitchin) Towle, 91, passed away on Thursday, February 12, 2026, at Mount Joseph, in Waterville. She was born to Norris A. and Jeannette A. (Stewart) Kitchin on March 26, 1934.

She grew up and attended schools in Waterville. Upon graduation from Waterville Senior High School in 1953, she worked at New England Telephone until she met the love of her life, Robert B. Towle, and they married on July 4, 1954.

“Glo” took care of the administrative duties for her husband’s business, Bob’s Auto Body Shop & Radiator Repair, and, in addition, became a stay-at-home mom in 1957.

She was a loving and caring wife, mother, sister, aunt and cousin. She enjoyed hosting and cooking for family and friends on the holidays and during the summer at the lake. She also liked to attend as well as host block parties for the Belgrade neighbors. In addition to spending time on Great Pond, Glo and Bob loved to take day trips throughout Maine, especially for lobster at Young’s, in Belfast. Glo always wanted to hit the gift shops and craft fairs with her daughter and could not pass up a good buy at the malls and shopping centers.

Gloria was predeceased by her parents; husband of 56 years; and three brothers, Dean, Darrell and Stewart “Lee”; and best friend, Nancy Fillebrown.

She is survived by her daughter and son-in-law, Linda and Michael White, of Belgrade; two brothers and their spouses, Gary “Butch” and Linda and Wayne and George, all of Florida; and several nieces, nephews and cousins.

At her request, there will be no services.

Services are under the care of Veilleux-Redington-Lawry Brothers, 8 Elm St., Waterville. An online guestbook may be signed and memories shared at http://www.vrlfuneralhome.com

ROLAND ROSSIGNOL

OAKLAND – Roland Rossignol, 101, born May 1, 1924, in Oakland, passed away unexpectedly Saturday, February 7, 2026, at MaineGeneral Medical Center, Thayer Campus, in Waterville.

He was a dairy farmer for most of his life and later worked as a driver for KVCAP.

Roland was married to the late Heliette Bushey, in Waterville, and survived by five children; grandchildren and great-grandchildren; He is also survived by his sister Jeannette Colford.

He was predeceased by his brothers, Gerald and Maurice and a sister, Lillian Martin.

A Mass of Christian Burial took place on Tuesday, February 17, at Notre Dame Church, 116 Silver Street, in Waterville.

Services are under the care of Veilleux-Redington-Lawry Brothers, 8 Elm St., Waterville. An online guestbook may be signed and memories shared at http://www.vrlfuneralhome.com.

BEVERLEE J. TIBBETTS

UNION – Beverlee Jane Tibbetts, 80, passed away at her residence at Crawford Commons, a nursing facility, in Union, on Monday, February 9, 2026, following a lingering illness. She was was born June 20, 1945, at Waldo County Hospital in Belfast.

Always called Lee by her family, she was raised with her brother in Hampden and graduated from Hampden Academy in 1965. Lee lived in various residences in Hampden and Bangor where she was a long time member of the Essex Street Baptist Church, and Freedom where, for years, she helped care for her aging parents. And there, she enjoyed the company and friendship of her nephew, nieces and their families. Later Lee lived in assisted living facilities in Coopers Mills, Jefferson, and finally at Crawford Commons where she lived comfortably.

Lee was the daughter of Arthur J. Tibbetts, a victim of World War II, her mother Susan Mathieson Tibbetts Leeman, and her stepfather Guy S. Leeman.

Beverlee is survived by her brother Gary S. Leeman, of Palermo; a nephew; and nieces and their families, and several cousins.

A graveside service will be held in the spring in Hannan Cemetery, Palermo.

Plummer Funeral Home, of Windsor, has handled the arrangements.

Condolences, stories and photos may be shared at www.plummerfh.com.