Reginald G. Ouillette

CARIBOU – Reginald G. Ouillette, 91, passed away February 26, 2020 at his Caribou residence. He was born in Caribou, December 17, 1928, the son of the late Arthur and Leona (Desjardins) Ouillette. Reg was a 1946 graduate of Caribou High School. Following graduation he worked at Havey’s Rexall Pharmacy. He was then accepted to the Bliss Electrical School in Washington, D.C., where he studied electrical theory, generation, and transmission. Reg attended Massachusetts Industrial Technical School to study the application of electricity. After graduation he returned to Caribou where he was employed by Graydon Lombard Electric. He met the love of his life, Teresa Tardif of Van Buren, at a local basketball game. They married on September 19, 1950. When heavy construction started at Loring Air Force Base, Reg hired on with numerous electrical contractors working at Loring AFB for several years. He eventually started his own electrical contracting company, and was a Master Electrician for over 60 years. Reg designed and installed the electrical system at the former Potato Service processing plant in Presque Isle, as well as numerous other electrical projects in the area. He thoroughly enjoyed working at his chosen career, looking forward to each day and its new and exciting challenges. Mr. Ouillette was a member of the Holy Rosary Catholic Church, a lifetime founding member of the Loring Historical Museum, and served as a director on the board of the Nylander Museum. He enjoyed hunting, fishing, and canoeing – especially white water canoeing. Reg held a Maine Master Guide’s license and felt very comfortable in the woods. He claimed he never got turned around once, although he did admit “they moved the camp on me” a couple of times. Reg was an avid reader and enjoyed learning a wide variety of subjects, particularly history.  He was an excellent source of information concerning the history of Loring AFB, as well as the history of Northern Maine, including the North Maine Woods and its waterways. When the canoe got difficult to paddle, Reg easily found other interests. He was proud of the garden beds he devised and built. He met frequently with his friends for coffee and to share stories, many of whom will fondly remember Reg’s sense of humor. Surviving in addition to his wife of over 69 years, Teresa of Caribou, are their 5 children, Michael Ouillette and wife Tammie of Northbridge, MA, Patrick Ouillette and wife Gloria of Camden, Jennifer Ouillette Brooks of Bellefonte, PA, Julie Ouillette Gordon of Richmond, VT, and Joanne Ouillette of Nashua, NH, 15 grand-children, 24 great-grandchildren, and several nieces and nephews.  He is survived by 2 sisters, Mona McBain of Clinton, CT and Sheila Jacobson of Raymond, ME.  Mr. Ouillette was predeceased by his brothers Fr. Arthur Ouillette, Richard Ouillette, and sisters Kathleen Karr, Joyce Theriault, Ruth Vermette and Greta Cianchette. Friends may call at the Mockler Funeral Home, 24 Reservoir Street, Thursday March 5, 2020 from 9:30 am until time of services. A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated 11:00 am from the Parish of the Precious Blood Holy Rosary Catholic Church. Following the service, friends and family are invited to a time of continued fellowship and refreshments at the parish hall. Spring interment will be in the Old Holy Rosary Catholic Cemetery. www.mocklerfuneralhome.com