Reno R. Lavoie

Reno Roger Lavoie, 74, of Cyr Plantation, passed away peacefully at home October 3, 2023 with his beloved wife Johanne at his side, surrounded by family.

Reno and Johanne were married in 1968 before he left to attend Army Basic training. He was a member of The Big Red One, serving valiantly in Vietnam until wounded. Though he lost a leg, no one would know by the way he attacked life once he recovered and returned home. His priority was to build the family home where he continued to reside with his wife until his death.

Reno, the youngest boy of ten children, was born on January 8, 1949, to Stanislaus and Alice (Roy) Lavoie, in Van Buren, ME. As a young man, Reno farmed and honed his talents as a carpenter. He built many beautiful things for family and friends from Maine to Georgia. He put his talents to use professionally at the Acadian Village, where he worked for over 25 years to preserve the history of Acadian Culture and Franco-American heritage, not only building the Chapel Museum but also performing upkeep and maintenance on the existing buildings and land.

Hunting, ice fishing, and seasonal outdoor activities were his passion. He spent many hours in the woods, on the frozen lake, and on the trails, enjoying the beauty of the Valley with his son Adam and dear friend Normand. He was an avid gardener, spending hours carefully planting, curating, and harvesting his vegetables every spring, summer, and fall.  He was kind and was always willing to lend a helping hand where it was needed. Reno loved a good joke; he had a fantastic sense of humor which was intact until the end.

His canine companions were dear to him. Mowgli and Ballou have stayed behind with Johanne, but Duke and Nikki are on a long walk with him now.

Reno is survived by his loving wife Johanne, children Adam and his wife Darlene of Van Buren, ME, April McCarty of Newark, NJ, and Lisa (Albert) Lavoie of St. Leonard, NB; grandchildren: Vanessa, Lyndsey and Colby, two sisters: Georgine LeMay of Clermont, FL, Simone Giangiordano of Ocala, FL; two brothers Richard Lavoie of Woodbine, GA, and Matt Lavoie of Van Buren, ME, as well as many beloved nieces, nephews, cousins and other assorted family and many caring friends.

He was preceded in death by his parents Stanislaus and Alice, Raymond (brother), Rolande, Claudette, Marlene, Linda (sisters); and Linda’s children Timmy and Becky.

He was a proud, lifelong member of The American Legion, Post 49 in Van Buren and the VFW Post 9389 in Caribou.

Interment with military honors will be held on Monday, October 16, 2023 at 1:00 PM at the Maine Veteran’s Memorial Cemetery, Lombard Road, Caribou. A celebration of life and luncheon will follow at the Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 9389, Van Buren Road, Caribou.