AUBURN — Paul “Bud” Caouette, 61, of Auburn died Sunday, April 23, at the Hospice House of Androscoggin Home Care & Hospice, with his loving family at his side, after a courageous and hard-fought battle with cancer.

He was born in Lewiston on Dec. 15, 1955, a son of the late William and Rose (Theriault) Caouette. He was educated in Auburn schools and graduated from Edward Little High School, Class of 1974. He attended Bentley College and then served his country in the U.S. Marines.

Bud married his true love, the former Penny Dickinson on May 23, 1981, and together they spent 35 amazing years together. He was a police officer for 25 years, the past 22 with the Auburn Police Department. Before that, he was with the Androscoggin County Sheriff’s Office and Mechanic Falls Police Department. He also owned Bud’s Painting and other companies, where he painted, hung Sheetrock, landscaped and plowed. He also was a motorcycle instructor and opened the now-named Auburn-Lewiston Driver Rider Education in 2004 and drove a bus for Northeast Charters. He loved all of his work and took great pride in what he did. He passed this on to his two daughters and even helped one out with her newspaper routes.

He was very involved with Auburn Suburban and coached his daughters’ softball teams. Bud was also very active with Special Olympics, carrying the torch for many years and working with Camp Sunshine. He loved motorcycles and loved going for rides on his Harley with his wife (and buddies).

Bud was a member of the American Legion Post 153 in New Auburn.

He leaves behind his wife, Penny, of Auburn; his two daughters, Jennifer Gagnon and her husband, Jason, of Minot, and Erin Caouette of Brunswick; his three grandchildren, Abby, Colby and Ally; and his two sisters, Jeanne Laliberte and husband, Norm, of Auburn, and Anita Wood and husband, Dave, of Scarborough; along with many nieces, nephews, family, and friends near and far.

He was predeceased by two sisters, Diane Doyon and her husband, Joe, and Pauline Caouette.

Bud’s family would like to send a very special thank-you to the entire community, especially the cities of Auburn and Lewiston and the Auburn Police Department for all the support that was given to Team Bud over the past several months.

You are invited to offer condolences and pay tribute to Bud’s life by visiting his guest book at www.thefortingroupauburn.com.

Paul ‘Bud’ Caouette