1928 – 2015

AUBURN — Henry J. Poisson, 86, of South Main Street, Auburn, died Wednesday, June 17, at the Androscoggin Hospice House, with his family by his side.

He was born in Waltham, Mass., Nov. 7, 1928, the son of the late Gustave and Cecile Poisson. He was educated in Waltham schools and was married to the former Julia Laverdiere, who died Jan. 8, 2008.

Henry served in the U.S. Army during the Korean War, where he was an aviator mechanic and also entertained the troops. He lived with his family in Massachusetts until he brought them family to Auburn in 1968 to start a very successful business, Poisson & Sons Automobile Repair Shop. He was a member of St. Louis Church in Auburn, where he was on the church council. He was on the Planning Board for Auburn from 1996 to 2006. He sponsored the New Auburn Little League for 40 years, and it is still being sponsored by his sons, who now own the family business. He enjoyed spending time with his family, collecting old memorabilia, antiquing and learning about clocks, watches, old cars and old movies.

His greatest passions after retiring, besides taking care of his wife until she passed away, was being with his family and volunteering at Marshwood Center nursing home in Lewiston. He volunteered there for 11 years, starting when his wife was a resident there. He often worked long hours there — sometimes 12 hours a day — until he became too ill to go as often. The staff and residents loved having him there. Henry will always be remembered for his whistling. You always knew when he was around because you could hear him whistling. He was a kind, hard-working man who was always thinking of others.

He is survived by his daughter, Denise Libby and husband, Craig, of Greene; his sons, Donald Poisson Sr. and wife, Pat, of Auburn, and Daniel Poisson Sr. and wife, Heidi, of Auburn; grandchildren, Joshua, Jessica and Jonathan Belanger,

Robert and Sylvia Abbott, Pat and Paul Fournier, Tammy Abbott, Tina Sibley, Danny and Shannon Whitney, Jen and John Pike, Donald Poisson Jr., Daleana and Jamey Bragdon, Kasey Poisson and Corey Higgins, Dan Poisson Jr., and Christopher Poisson; 34 great-grandchildren; eight great-great-grandchildren;

his sisters, Irene Mailhot and Annette Lazili; his brothers, Rene Poisson and wife, Rose, and Frank Poisson and Pat, all of Mass.; and brother-in-law Raymond and Dot Laverdiere of Augusta.

He was predeceased by his sister, Lucille Mercurio; and brother, Leo Poisson.

The family wishes to thank the staff at St. Mary’s for their expert care the many times he went there, as well as Androscoggin Home Health and the Hospice House in Auburn.

Online condolences and photo gallery at www.thefortingrouplewiston.com.