Orland and Brewer - Henri F. Violette, 87, passed away to be with our Lord, January 9, 2024, at a Bangor hospital after a brief illness. He was born on May 26, 1936, in Fall River, Massachusetts, the son of Henri and Alice A. Violette.

Henri was a loving devoted son, brother, husband, father, grandfather, great-grandfather and friend. We are broken hearted, and he will be greatly missed especially Sundays with Henri!

Dad started his career as an automotive mechanic at age 16, with LeBreck Automotive’s in Somerset, MA where he worked for 4 years. Henri continued his career in the automotive/truck industry for many years including acquiring his CDL license, serving as Shop Steward for the Teamsters Local, and being an independent owner/operator truck driver until relocating to Bucksport, Maine in 1973. Once in Maine Dad worked for Bangor Dodge & A J Cole before opening his own mechanic/body shop, Violette’s Garage, which he ran and operated until his retirement in 1999. He was fortunate to meet and help so many in the community. He was blessed with a natural talent for automotive mechanics. He worked on and restored hundreds of cars throughout his life. His natural abilities and can-do attitude served him well, he was one of those guys that could fix just about anything.

Dad served in the armed forces with the Rhode Island National Guard and the US Army reserves. He received an honorable discharge from the Guard in 1958 and from the US Army reserves in 1960.

He met his first wife of 25 years, Monique T. Ferland, marrying Sept 5, 1955. They made their home in Central Falls, Rhode Island where they were blessed with three children, a son David and 2 daughters, Susan, and Doris.

Dad was blessed with a second marriage of 36 years to Joyce Leeman, February 13, 1982, and together they raised her children, Brian, Jeff, Jessica and Robert. Joyce and Dad shared wonderful times together, lovingly embracing his first and second families.

He thoroughly enjoyed a good meal, watching football and having a beer. He also found great satisfaction in his vegetable gardens, plowing his driveway (which only he could do right) keeping his property maintained including the pool, which was a frequent source of entertainment and fun times for the children, grandchildren and great grandchildren. Dad and Joyce enjoyed multiple ocean cruises, camping and time with family and friends.

Dad continued to stay active working with his lifelong friend Frank Foisy rebuilding a chevy engine and spending quality time reminiscing and eating the wonderful meals provided by Frank’s wife Jan.

Thanks to you both for being such caring companions to our Dad.

Henri is survived by his brother, Donald Violette; his children, David Violette, Susan England and husband, Joseph, Doris Gray and husband, David; stepdaughter, Jessica Deraps and her husband, Dan; stepson, Robert Leeman; grandchildren, Gerald Violette, Stephen Violette, Michael Violette, Zachary Violette, Jennifer Howard and her husband, Joshua, Cassandra Hitchcock and her husband, Alex, Rachael Gray, Samantha Gray; step grandchildren, Codey Pettengill, Connor Deraps, Cooper Deraps, David Leeman and his wife, Christy, Kathleen Leeman; great-grandchildren, Jourden Violette, Dante Violette, Emily Howard, Sydney Howard, Anthony Hitchcock, Anna Hitchcock; step great-grandchildren, Alexis Leeman ,Jade Leeman, Mason Leeman, and Bella Leeman.

In addition to his parents, he was predeceased by Monique Ferland Violette Brown, Joyce A. Violette, Brian Leeman, and Jeff Leeman.

Special thanks to the physicians and nursing staff at Bucksport Regional Health Ctr and St. Joseph for their compassionate care.

In lieu of flowers donations can be made to the America Heart Association.

Relatives and friends are welcome to call from 3:00 – 4:00 p.m., Monday, January 15, 2024 at the Brewer Chapel of Brookings-Smith, 55 South Main St., Brewer.

A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated at 11:00 a.m. Tuesday, January 16, 2024, at St. Paul the Apostle Parish, St. John's Catholic Church, 217 York Street, Bangor.