Emile Frank Klimek, 95, of Old Orchard Beach, loving husband of the late Mariette Boucher Klimek, passed away peacefully after a short illness, on Easter Sunday, April 9, 2023. Emile was born in Lewiston, ME, on January 9, 1928, to the late Michael and Florence (Horsempa) Klimek. He was educated in Lewiston schools and worked for many years in the dye house of the Bates Mill in Lewiston, where he was elected to the Bates Fabrics Employee Council. After leaving the mill in the early 1980’s, Emile and Mariette worked for about 10 years as resident managers of senior living complexes, first in Palmyra, NY, and then in Danbury, CT. Emile used his considerable skill as a handyman as he took care of the facilities and maintenance for these complexes. After retirement in 1993, Emile and Mariette moved back to Maine, to Old Orchard Beach, where Emile worked part-time at Powder Horn Campground, manning the entrance gate and helping with groundskeeping. Emile also worked part-time for his friend and neighbor, Dan Blaney, at Beach Glass and Window Company in Old Orchard Beach.

Emile was a caring and thoughtful man, always quick with a smile or a joke, and ready to lend a hand to anyone who needed it. He had fond memories of growing up with his large family and many friends on Willow Circle in Lewiston. After his marriage to Mariette, his family expanded and together they enjoyed many happy years of family get-togethers, holidays, and vacations. In his later years, Emile enjoyed early morning coffee with Nikki, Sharri, Debbie and other friends at MacDonald’s Garage in Old Orchard Beach. He also enjoyed listening to country music, doing jigsaw puzzles, and feeding and watching the wild birds at the feeders in his yard.

Emile was predeceased by his beloved wife of almost 40 years, Mariette B. Klimek. He was also predeceased by his parents and by his three brothers: Joseph, John, and Henry Klimek; and his three sisters: Catherine Warchalowski, Mary Flaherty, and Frances Luckie.

Emile will be greatly missed by his devoted stepson and daughter-in-law, Edward and Gail Thibodeau, of Simsbury, CT; his beloved grandchildren: Bryan Thibodeau and his wife Kate Navarra Thibodeau, of Sammamish, WA, and Alyson Thibodeau and her partner, Christopher Bley, of Boiling Springs, PA; and his cherished great-grandchildren: Emily and Alex Thibodeau, and Simon Bley. He will also be sadly missed by close family friends, especially “Number 2 Son”, Andre L’Heureux and his wife Susan, of Alexandria, VA, and Lori Thompson and her family of Paso Robles, CA. Emile also leaves his nephew Fred Klimek and his wife Debbie, of Blackwood, NJ.

The family wishes to express their heartfelt appreciation to Emile’s good friends and neighbors, Joan Daigle, Nancy Mater, and Daniel Robinson, for their caring and loving assistance to Emile during the past few years. We don’t know what we would have done without them! The family also wishes to thank the staff at Kennebunk Health and Rehabilitation and Beacon Hospice for their extraordinarily attentive and respectful care for Emile in his last days.

As per Emile’s wishes, services will be private and at the convenience of the family. Anyone wishing to honor Emile’s memory is asked to perform an act of kindness for a neighbor.

Arrangements are by Hope Memorial Chapel, 480 Elm St, Biddeford, ME 04005. To share condolences, please visit hopememorial.com.