He was born in Arthabaska, Province of Quebec, Canada on Oct. 27, 1918, the son of the late Eugene and Clara [Martineau] Fecteau. The family moved to Biddeford in 1920. Fernand attended Saint Andre School in Biddeford. He later married his wife Rita Rheault in June 1940.
In 1942, he joined the U.S. Navy during World War II as a Seaman, First Class and was assigned to the west coast from Hawaii and Japan and shorter passages among the South Pacific islands. He served his country proudly until his honorable discharge on November 4, 1945.
For most of his life, he worked as a loom fixer and section leader at West Point Pepperell for 44 years. After retirement, he worked part time for Maurice Guay’s Service Station.
Fernand was a most beloved husband, father, grandfather, great grandfather and great great grandfather. He cared deeply about his family, children, and all the grandchildren.
He was an avid fan of Saint Louis High School and Biddeford High School sports, He loved the Red Sox and the New England Patriots. He and his wife attended many of their children’s and grandchildren’s sporting events.
Fernand was predeceased by his parents, his wife Rita, his brother Robert, his sister Antoinette Sevigny, son-in-law Raymond Soulard and most recently, his son Richard.
He is survived by his daughter Joan Soulard, son Donald Fecteau and wife Michelle, son Michael Fecteau, brother Paul Fecteau and wife Priscilla and daughter-in-law Dolly Fecteau and many nieces and nephews. He is also survived by nine grandchildren: David Descoteaux and wife Julia, Marc Soulard and wife Maria, Shelley Fournier and husband Michael, Scott Soulard and wife Kim, Nicole Fecteau Lambert and husband Shawn, Adam Fecteau, Kyle Fecteau and wife Becky, Briana Fecteau and Heather Fecteau. Also 11 great grandchildren: Shawn, Ryan, Jessica, Hannah, Maxwell, Alexander, Cordelia, Cedric, Ashton, Anthony, Tanner and Peter. Last but not least 3 great great grandchildren: Cailyn, Anthony, Bobby.
Visiting Hours will be 4 to 7 p.m. on Sunday, March 11, 2018 at Hope Memorial Chapel, 480 Elm St., Biddeford, ME 04005. A funeral service will be held at 10:30 a.m. on Monday, March 12 in the Hope Chapel. Burial will be in St. Joseph Cemetery.
To share condolences online, please visit www.HopeMemorial.com.
The family would like to thank the nursing staff at Biddeford Estates and the Gosnell Memorial Hospice House for their tender and compassionate care. He passed with love, dignity, and respect.
In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in Fernand’s name to the Gosnell Memorial Hospice House, 11 Hunnewell Road, Scarborough, Maine.
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