BRUNSWICK – Herman Boudreau was a retired command sergeant major in the Maine Army National Guard, a sergeant with the Maine State Police and a longtime auxiliary police officer in Brunswick. He also owned a courier and security agency for 15 years.

Though his military and law-enforcement careers were an important part of his life, nothing topped the love he had for his wife and their four children, a son said.

“His family came first, above everything,” said his son, Armand Boudreau of St. Petersburg, Fla. “(We) knew that we were loved. The biggest joy of my dad’s life was his 54-year marriage to my mom. He loved her as much on the day he died as on the day they got married.”

Mr. Boudreau died on Sunday with his family by his side. He was 93.

He had a long and distinguished career in the military. On Dec. 25, 1941, he joined the Army. He served during World War II with the 103 Infantry, 43rd Division, 2nd Battalion. He served in New Zealand and the South Pacific, where he spent 27 months fighting Japanese resistance. He was awarded the Bronze Star, the Purple Heart and a Silver Star.

Mr. Boudreau continued his service with the Maine Army National Guard, where he rose through the ranks to command sergeant major. He retired in 1967 after 27 years of service.

“He lived a life of service to others, which included his country,” his son said. “It’s what drove him every day … always doing something for others. The essence of my dad, the true crowning achievement of my dad’s life, was his career with the Maine State Police.”

Mr. Boudreau was a state trooper for 21 years. For many years, he was assigned to the state’s highway safety program, where he conducted safety presentations to students across the state. He was also an instructor at the Maine Criminal Justice Academy, teaching riot control and self-defense. He rose through the ranks to become a sergeant and retired in 1967. Twenty years later, he was honored with the prestigious Legendary State Trooper Award.

“It meant everything to him,” his son recalled. “The Maine State Police was his life. I think he regretted retiring too young. He was only 47. He could have worked another 20 years. He missed it every day of his life. He felt that way till his last breath.”

Mr. Boudreau served briefly as police chief in Freeport and as an auxiliary policeman in Brunswick.

He later ran a courier and security agency. He provided bank delivery and commercial security services in the Brunswick and Bath area. His clients included Bath Iron Works and Shaw’s Supermarkets.

Then his career took another turn. For 21 years, he helped his wife, Nancie, run the Three Little Bears Nursery School. He worked with the kids until 2010. He was called Mr. Policeman and Pepere by more than 5,000 children who attended the nursery.

His son, a lieutenant with the Treasure Island Police Department in Florida, choked up Monday talking about his parents’ love for each other. He said they called each other “honey, love and sweetie.”

“My mother cherished my dad,” their son said. “It’s a very big loss for my mom. We have a couple of rough days ahead. I can tell you he will have a send- off befitting of him. He touched so many people. It’s a tremendous loss for so many people.”

 

Staff Writer Melanie Creamer can be contacted at 791-6361 or at:

mcreamer@pressherald.com