He was born July 9, 1929, in Biddeford, the son of Albert and Therese (Auger) Deshaies. He graduated from St. Louis High School in 1948, and earned his bachelor’s degree at Boston College, graduating in the Class of 1952.
Al served in the U.S. Army from 1952 to 1955. On June 26, 1954, he and Madeleine Brunelle were married at The Church of Our Lady in Bamberg, Germany.
His work history included six years as an agent with Metropolitan Life Insurance Co. and five years as manager of Canal National Bank in Biddeford. He then served as president of St. Joseph’s Federal Credit Union for 27 years, retiring in 1993. In the following years, he worked as a photographer for Paquin & Carroll Insurance.
He was a member and past president of the Biddeford-Saco Rotary Club and was also recognized by Rotary International as a Paul Harris fellow. Al had a lifetime interest in music and photography. He participated in both St. Louis High School and Boston College bands. He also played in the Alumni Band, the Italian Heritage Center Band, and the Harvard Summer Band.
Al was preceded in death by a son-in-law, Frederick Lynch.
Surviving are: Madeleine Deshaies, his wife of 62 years, of Biddeford; one son, Philip Deshaies and his wife, Cecile of Biddeford and their children, Adrien, Roxanne, Bernard, and Michelle; three daughters, Janice Lynch of Saco and her daughter, Alyssa, Celeste Bellerose and her husband, Garry of Victor, New York, and their son, Nathan, and Denise Leal of York and her children, Caroline and Jonathan.
There will be no visiting hours. A private family service will be held. Arrangements are by Hope Memorial Chapel, 480 Elm St., Biddeford, ME 04005. Memorial donations in Al’s memory may be made to the Albert “Bruce” Brunelle Memorial Scholarship care of Biddeford High School, 20 Maplewood Ave., Biddeford, ME 04005. To share condolences online, please visit HopeMemorial.com.
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