Gary G. Veilleux

AUGUSTA – It is with broken hearts we share that our beloved husband, father and brother, Gary G. Veilleux, passed away at MaineGeneral Hospital on Sept. 2, 2024 after a brief illness.

Born in Lewiston on Sept. 25, 1946, Gary was a devoted and loving son to the late Laurent and Marine (Gagne) Veilleux.

Gary graduated from Lewiston High School and attended the University of Maine at Machias before enlisting in the U.S. Navy. Being tri-lingual, he honorably served for four years during the Vietnam War as a Communications Specialist. Following his honorable discharge, Gary earned a B.S. from the University of Southern Maine in Business Administration as well as a second B.S. in Criminal Justice from the University of Maine at Augusta, where he proudly attended classes alongside his father.

While on a business trip in September of 1996, Gary visited an old Navy buddy in Rhode Island. While visiting, Gary was reunited with Lynne Sawyer after dating 30 years prior. As fate would have it, five months later the two were united in marriage, bringing Lynne and her son, Tim, to Maine.

For nearly 40 years, Gary worked for the State of Maine at the Department of Health and Human Services, ultimately retiring as a Quality Control Supervisor. During the ice storm of ’98, Gary worked as a coordinator for MEMA, providing crucial care to the citizens of the State of Maine.

A dedicated member of the community, Gary was involved with various civic and municipal organizations and was a member of the Lion’s Club, served two terms on the Augusta Board of Education, and was a past member of the Augusta City Council. Most notably, Gary was a lifetime member of Le Club Calumet where he was a past president, served as secretary and trustee of the Calumet Education Foundation, and was past chairman of the Festival de la Bastille. In addition, Gary also volunteered and became chairman of Calumet Bingo.

Gary was a voracious reader, particularly of American History. He was a formidable opponent at Jeopardy as well as local trivia contests, and a New York Times crossword puzzle aficionado. He was kind, generous and had a surprisingly wry and quick humor. He loved genealogy, was immensely proud of his Franco-American heritage and of being a native Mainer. Above all, Gary loved his family.

He will be deeply missed by all who loved him.

Gary was predeceased by his parents; his younger brother, George Veilleux; a very special cousin, Michael Smith; several aunts, uncles; cousins; and friends; and his in-laws Raymond and Eleanor Sawyer who loved him dearly.

He is survived by his loving wife of 27 years, Lynne (Sawyer) Veilleux; his children, Michelle Lowry and her husband Brian, Marianne Veilleux, Michael Veilleux, and Tim Sawyer; his much loved sister, Marine Shea and her husband Rick; and several nieces, nephews; cousins; and friends.

We cannot adequately thank the nurses and staff of the CCU at MaineGeneral for their amazing care and compassion.

A period of visitation will be held on Tuesday, Sept. 10, from 2 p.m. to 4 p.m. and 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. at Plummer Funeral Home, 16 Pleasant St., Augusta, ME 04330. A funeral service will take place on Wednesday, Sept. 11 at 11 a.m., also at Plummer Funeral Home. Burial will take place at a later date at the Maine Veteran’s Cemetery on Mt. Vernon Road in Augusta.

Condolences, stories and photos may be shared by visiting http://www.plummerfh.com.

In lieu of flowers, memorial donations in Gary’s name may be made to:

Bread of Life Ministries,

159 Water St.,

Augusta, ME 04330

mainebreadoflife.org/

or the

Kennebec Valley

Humane Society

168 Leighton Rd.,

Augusta, ME 04330

pethavenlane.org/donate/.