Germain Joseph CHAREST

WESTBROOK - Germain Joseph Charest, 90, died Tuesday, July 12, 2005 in Westbrook. He was the 5th of 13 children born to Joseph and Emma Rousseau Charest, in Chesterville, P.Q. Canada. His family moved to Maine when he was a young child and he worked many years at the S.D. Warren paper mill in Westbrook, retiring in 1976.He was a member of the Knights of Columbus, a communicant of St. Hyacinth Church. Everyone in the area knew Germain. He was known for being a hard worker, often seen driving his green truck, pulling his John Deere tractor, plowing and harrowing gardens for many of the locals. He also enjoyed coffee at the local coffee shop. After retirement, he worked part-time for Phil and Bobby Grondin, doing maintenance work, he respected their accomplishments and often stated how well he was treated by the family. In his final years, he was a resident of Springbrook Health Care in Westbrook, where he made a lot of friends.He will be missed by the family and all that knew him. He married Bernadette Vincent in 1938 and they raised a family on the farm they built in Gorham, she predeceased him on Feb. 22, 1977, he was also predeceased by three sons, Roger, Richard and Raymond; five brothers, Omer, Leopold, Alberic, Charles, Marcel and Conrad; sisters, Germaine (his twin), Rita, Gilbert and Lillian; a granddaughter and great - grandson.He is survived by two sons, David R. and wife Jan, and Philip and wife Claudette both of Westbrook; a daughter, Pauline LeBlanc of Pensacola, Fla.; daughters - in - law, Maureen and Diane; sisters, Bernadette Stilphen and Delores Cormier both of Westbrook; 15 grandchildren; 23 great - grandchildren; and many nieces and nephews. Visiting hours will be held Thursday from 2-4 and 7-9 p.m. at the Blais & Hay Funeral Home, 35 Church St., Westbrook. A funeral Mass will be celebrated Friday at 10 a.m. in St. Hyacinth Church. Interment will be in St. Hyacinth Cemetery.