Black Funeral Homes Obituaries

A Legacy of Compassion and Care: Black Funeral Homes

Located in the heart of Springvale, Maine, Black Funeral Homes has been a pillar of strength and support for families in their time of need. With a rich history and a commitment to excellence, this esteemed funeral home has earned a reputation for providing compassionate and personalized services to those who have lost a loved one.

A Convenient Location

Situated at 580 Main Street, P.O. Box 175, Springvale, ME, 04083, Black Funeral Homes is easily accessible and convenient for families from all over the region. The funeral home's central location ensures that families can gather and pay their respects without having to travel far, making it an ideal choice for those seeking a dignified and meaningful farewell.

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Recent Funeral Home Obituaries

Michael D. Legere - March 19, 1955 - June 21, 2022

Departed: 06/21/2022 (Sanford)

Obituary Preview: Michael D. Legere, 67, of Sanford, died peacefully at his home on Tuesday, June 21, 2022 with his family by his side.

Michael was born on March 19, 1955 to Gerard and Rita (Guillemette) Legere in Sanford where he grew up and attended local schools.  In 1974 he married Sandra Austin and together they shared 48 years of marriage and raised two children.  During his working life he was employed for many years at the Portsmouth Naval Shipyard where he worked until his retirement in 2016.

Michael enjoyed hunting, fishing and doing pretty much anything that involved the outdoors.  He was an outgoing man who was able to make friends and find someone to talk to no matter where he was.  He had been a member of the Lafayette Social Club.  He will be remembered as a loving and devoted husband, father, grandfather and great-grandfather and will be dearly missed by all of his family and friends.

Surviving are his wife, Sandra Legere of Sanford; two children, Erin and Nathan Legere, both of Sanford; two grandchildren, Alex Guilbault and Codie Deering; three great-grandchildren and two siblings, Steve Legere of Mesa, Arizona and Ron Legere of Limerick.

At Michael’s request, arrangements will be private.

The family would like to express their gratitude to the staff of Hospice of Southern Maine for the care and compassion shown to Michael and his family during his period of declining health.

Those planning an expression of sympathy are asked to consider sending a memorial contribution to the Gosnell Memorial Hospice House, c/o Hospice of Southern Maine 390 US Route One, Scarborough, Maine 04074.

Arrangements are under the direction of Black Funeral Homes and Cremation Service, Sanford-Springvale.

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Sylvia Ann Brochu - December 31, 1935 - June 02, 2022

Departed: 06/02/2022 (Sanford)

Obituary Preview: Sylvia Ann Brochu, 86, formerly of Sanford and Springvale, ME, passed away on Thursday June 2, 2022, at Paragon Village Assisted Living in Hackettstown, NJ. She had lived there since 2013 after the passing of her husband Rene on Nov 30, 2012. Prior to that she lived with Rene in nearby Long Valley, NJ since 1986.

Sylvia was born in Sanford, daughter of the late Emilien Beaudette and Irene (Gonneville) Beaudette.

Sylvia graduated from St. Ignatius High School in 1953, and then married Rene at Notre Dame Church in Springvale, ME on May 21,1955. They remained happily married for 57 years.

Sylvia moved with Rene from Sanford to Fairfield, CT, North Olmsted, OH, Upper St Clair, PA, and Long Valley, NJ. Sylvia was a wife, homemaker, mother and a grandmother who spent numerous, loving hours with both Adam and Jason.

Sylvia was a member of Our Lady of the Mountain Roman Catholic Church in Long Valley, NJ.

Sylvia is survived by two sons: Bob (wife Amy) of Long Valley, NJ, and Greg of Phillipsburg, NJ; two grandsons: Adam of Arlington, VA and Jason of Long Valley, NJ.

Visitation will be held from 9:00 to 10:30 AM on Wednesday, June 8th at the Lafrance-Lambert & Black Funeral Home, located at 29 Winter Street in Sanford.  A Mass of Christian Burial will follow at 11:00 AM at St. Thérèse of Lisieux Parish, Holy Family Church, located on North Avenue in Sanford.  Interment will be at Notre Dame Cemetery in Springvale.

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Manuel E Velez - April 21, 1932 - May 23, 2022

Departed: 05/23/2022 (Sanford)

Obituary Preview: Manuel (Manny) E. Velez, 90, of Tumwater, Washington, formerly of Sanford and Wells, Maine, died on Monday, May 23, 2022 at Providence St. Peter Hospital in Olympia, Washington. Manny was born in Cayum, Puerto Rico to Raymon and Dolores Estrada Velez. He spent most of his time in Rio Piedras, Puerto Rico before joining the Navy. He retired from the Navy as a Chief Petty Officer after 20 years of service and retired from the Portsmouth Naval Shipyard. He was a proud father of two children, and supportive husband to his wife Carolyn. He was very active in the Catholic Church while at St. Ignatius and St. Mary's Parishes. His devotion to his faith was displayed in his involvement in the Knights of Columbus where he obtained the rank of 4th Degree Knight and was an active member of the Honor Guard. They moved to Washington state several years ago. Manny was predeceased by his wife Carolyn, his brother Jaime Velez, sister Nilda Velez and by great-grandson, Chance Riggins. Surviving are his two children, Michael Velez and his wife Robin of Sanford, Maine and Rebecca Orbeck and her husband Mat of Tumwater, Washington: four grandchildren, Jessica Johnson and her husband Adam, Brittany Riggins and her husband Ryan, Ian Velez and his wife Cherie and Nicholas Dennis, and five great-grandchildren, Haylie, Zoe, Cecilia, Eleanor and Chloe. His siblings include Elba, Aida, Elady, Edwin, Silvio and Zulma Velez-Estrada. A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated at St. Mary's Catholic Church located at 236 Eldridge Road in Wells (Date and Time to be announced) Burial with Military Honors will be at Brooklawn Memorial Park in Portland.Condolences may be expressed at www.blackfuneralhomes.com

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Raymond Beaudoin - February 20, 1944 - May 22, 2022

Departed: 05/22/2022 (Sanford)

Obituary Preview: Raymond Valmore Beaudoin of Sanford, Maine, passed away on May 22, 2022. He was born to Orpha Mauzerolle Beaudoin and Aldas (Barney) Beaudoin on February 20, 1944. He attended St. Ignatius Grammar School and graduated from St. Ignatius High School in 1962. He enlisted in the U. S. Navy after graduation. While on leave, he married Kathleen Pouliot in 1963, the mother of his three sons. Kathleen passed away in 1984. He was deployed to Vietnam in 1965 and was discharged at the end of his tour of duty. He continued his military career as a Reservist, retiring in 1997 from the New Hampshire Air National Guard as a Master Sergeant.He was employed by many different industrial companies as an electrician before self-employment and retirement in 2004.In 1988 he married Ann Clark Adams. He is survived by his three sons: John Paul Beaudoin and his wife, Sharon, of Prairieville, Louisiana, James Matthew Beaudoin and his wife, Michelle, of Sanford, Maine and Jason Raymond Beaudoin and his wife, Jean, of Sherrills Ford, North Carolina and two stepchildren: Jeffrey Adams and his wife, Carol, and Julie Carlson and her husband, Bruce Carlson, Jr.; three grandchildren: Tyler Beaudoin, Joshua Beaudoin, Katie Beaudoin, six step-grandchildren: Autumn Theriault and her husband, Maurice, Audrey Carlson, Brian Carlson, Savanna Carlson, Eve Carlson and Julia Carlson. He is also survived by his sister, Betty Ann Beaudoin Brown and her husband, Arthur (Skip) ; Robert Beaudoin and his wife, Lilly, of Tyler, Texas and Richard and his wife, Diane, of Scarborough, Maine), Dale Fohlin, his sister-in-law, of Wells, Maine, and many nieces and nephews.His greatest love was his Lord and his Catholic faith. He would always say that it was his compass in his life's journey and with God's grace it always points North to eternal life. He loved his boys, his step-children, and grandchildren and had so much fun with them it would take writing a book to share all the joy he felt. He was proud of all of them.A Funeral Mass will be celebrated of Friday, May 27th at 11AM at St. Therese of Lisieux Parish, Holy Family Church in Sanford. Burial will be at a later date at St. Ignatius Cemetery in Sanford. Visiting hours will be on Thursday from 4 to 7PM at the Carll-Heald & Black Funeral Home, 580 Main Street, Springvale.Condolences may be expressed at www.blackfuneralhomes.com

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Raymond Charpentier - June 20, 1930 - May 08, 2022

Departed: 05/08/2022 (Sanford)

Obituary Preview: A Graveside service with military honors will be held at St. Ignatius Cemetery at a date and time to be announced.The family is thoughtfully composing an obituary.

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Lewis E. Barrows - August 16, 1963 - April 29, 2022

Departed: 04/29/2022 (Sanford)

Obituary Preview: Lewis E. Barrows, 58, of Springvale, passed away unexpectedly in April.

Lewis was born on August 16, 1963, in Windsor Vermont.  He attended Massabesic High School.

Lewis was a dedicated sports fan, an animal lover and a hard worker.

Surviving are his parents, Pauline and Carroll Goodwin of Alfred, Maine; his sister, Kelly Souliere and her husband Tracy; his nephew Connor and his niece Regean; his step-mother, Carol of Daytona Beach, Florida; His step-brother, JR Caswell and his step-sister, Stephanie Dutcher and her husband Robert.

Lewis was predeceased by his father, Roger Barrows.

At his family’s request, there will be no services.

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Raymond G. Vilandry - December 04, 1924 - April 09, 2022

Departed: 04/09/2022 (Sanford)

Obituary Preview: Raymond G. Vilandry, 97, of Ogunquit, died in Sanford in the home that he was born in on Saturday, April 9, 2022.

Raymond was born on December 4, 1924 to Daniel and Roseanna (Fournier) Vilandry in Sanford where he grew up and attended local schools.  He proudly served in the U.S. Army Air Corps during World War II attaining the rank or Sergeant.  After completing his enlistment, he spent his working life living in New York City working in the insurance industry.  After retiring split his time living between Ft. Lauderdale and Ogunquit until he moved to Ogunquit fulltime several years ago.  He will be remembered as a kind and loving uncle and friend and will be dearly missed.

Raymond was predeceased by his partner of over 40 years, Robert Bottomly and by his siblings, Cora Boisvert, Rita Turcotte and Roger Vilandry.

Surviving are his nephew, Daniel Boisvert and his wife Bonnie.

A graveside service will be held at a date to be announced at the St. Ignatius Cemetery located on Berwick Road in Sanford.

Arrangements are under the direction of Black Funeral Homes and Cremation Service, Sanford-Springvale.

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A Tradition of Excellence

For generations, Black Funeral Homes has been dedicated to providing exceptional service and care to the families they serve. Their team of experienced professionals is committed to understanding the unique needs and wishes of each family, tailoring their services to ensure a personalized and meaningful experience. From traditional funerals to cremation services, Black Funeral Homes offers a range of options to suit every family's needs.

A Commitment to Community

Black Funeral Homes is deeply rooted in the Springvale community, with a long history of involvement and support. They understand the importance of building strong relationships with local families, organizations, and businesses, and strive to make a positive impact on the community they serve. By hosting events, sponsoring local initiatives, and participating in charitable activities, Black Funeral Homes demonstrates their commitment to giving back and making a difference.

Personalized Services

No two individuals are alike, and Black Funeral Homes recognizes the importance of honoring each person's unique life story. Their team takes the time to listen to families' stories, learn about their loved one's passions and interests, and incorporate these details into the funeral or memorial service. This personalized approach ensures that every service is a true reflection of the person being honored.

Cremation Services

In recent years, cremation has become an increasingly popular option for families seeking a more affordable and environmentally friendly alternative to traditional burial. Black Funeral Homes offers a range of cremation services, including direct cremation, cremation with memorial service, and traditional funeral followed by cremation. Their team is knowledgeable and sensitive to the needs of families choosing cremation, ensuring that every detail is handled with care and respect.

Pre-Planning Options

Planning ahead for one's own funeral or memorial service can be a daunting task, but Black Funeral Homes is here to guide families through the process. Their pre-planning options allow individuals to make informed decisions about their final arrangements, alleviating the burden on loved ones during a difficult time. By taking control of their own funeral plans, individuals can ensure that their wishes are respected and their family's financial burden is minimized.

Grief Support and Resources

Losing a loved one can be an overwhelming experience, leaving families feeling isolated and unsure of how to navigate their grief. Black Funeral Homes understands the importance of providing ongoing support and resources to help families heal. They offer bereavement counseling, support groups, and online resources to help individuals cope with their loss and find a path towards healing.

A Legacy of Trust

For generations, Black Funeral Homes has built a legacy of trust with the families they serve. Their commitment to excellence, compassion, and personalized service has earned them a reputation as one of the most respected funeral homes in the region. As they continue to grow and evolve, one thing remains constant – their dedication to providing exceptional care and support to those who need it most.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is an obituary?

An obituary is a written notice that announces the death of a person, typically including their name, age, date of birth and death, and a brief biography. It serves as a way to share information about the deceased with friends, family, and community members, and often includes details about funeral or memorial services.

Why are obituaries important?

Obituaries are important because they provide a way to honor and celebrate the life of the deceased, while also informing others of their passing. They offer a sense of closure and allow loved ones to pay tribute to the person who has died.

Who typically writes an obituary?

In most cases, the obituary is written by a family member or close friend of the deceased. Funeral homes or crematories may also offer assistance with writing an obituary as part of their services.

What information should be included in an obituary?

A typical obituary includes the person's name, age, date of birth and death, place of residence, occupation, hobbies, achievements, and surviving family members. It may also include details about funeral or memorial services, charitable donations, or other relevant information.

How long should an obituary be?

The length of an obituary can vary depending on the publication or online platform it will be published in. Generally, it should be concise and to the point, ranging from a few sentences to a short paragraph.

Can I include photos in an obituary?

Yes, many publications and online platforms allow you to include one or more photos with the obituary. This can be a nice way to personalize the tribute and make it more engaging for readers.

What is the difference between an obituary and a death notice?

A death notice is a brief announcement of someone's passing, usually including only basic information such as name, age, and date of death. An obituary, on the other hand, provides more detailed information about the person's life and legacy.

How do I submit an obituary to a newspaper or online platform?

The process for submitting an obituary varies depending on the publication or platform. Check their website or contact them directly for specific guidelines and deadlines.

Is there a cost associated with publishing an obituary?

Yes, there may be a fee associated with publishing an obituary in a newspaper or online platform. The cost varies depending on the publication and the length of the obituary.

Can I write my own obituary?

Yes, some people choose to write their own obituary in advance as a way to control how they want to be remembered. This can also be a therapeutic exercise for those facing a terminal illness or nearing the end of life.

What is an online obituary?

An online obituary is a digital version of a traditional printed obituary. It is published on websites, social media platforms, or online memorials, allowing friends and family to share condolences and memories from anywhere in the world.

How long do online obituaries remain available?

The duration that an online obituary remains available varies depending on the platform or website. Some may keep them archived indefinitely, while others may remove them after a certain period of time.

Can I edit an obituary once it's been published?

In most cases, it is possible to make corrections or edits to an obituary after it has been published. However, this may depend on the publication or platform's policies and procedures.

What is a guest book or condolence message?

A guest book or condolence message is a feature often accompanying online obituaries that allows friends and family to leave messages of sympathy and support for the grieving family.

Are there any specific guidelines for writing an obituary for someone who was young or died suddenly?

Yes, when writing an obituary for someone who was young or died suddenly, it's essential to be sensitive to the emotional impact on family and friends. Focus on celebrating their life and accomplishments rather than dwelling on the circumstances of their death.

Can I include humor or personal anecdotes in an obituary?

Absolutely! Including humor or personal anecdotes can help bring the person's personality to life and make the obituary more engaging and relatable.

How do I handle sensitive information in an obituary?

If there are sensitive issues surrounding the person's death or personal life, it's essential to approach these topics with tact and discretion. Consider consulting with family members or close friends before deciding what information to include.

Can I include charitable donations or memorial funds in an obituary?

Yes, many families choose to include information about charitable donations or memorial funds in lieu of flowers. This can be a meaningful way to honor the deceased and continue their legacy.

What if I need help writing an obituary?

If you're struggling to write an obituary, consider reaching out to a funeral home or crematory for guidance. They often have experienced staff who can assist with writing and editing.

How do I ensure accuracy when writing an obituary?

To ensure accuracy, double-check dates, names, and other facts before submitting the obituary. It's also a good idea to have multiple people review it for errors before publication.

Can I republish an obituary at a later date?

In some cases, it may be possible to republish an obituary at a later date, such as on anniversaries or special occasions. Check with the original publication or platform for their policies on republication.

What if I want to publish an obituary in multiple languages?

If you need to publish an obituary in multiple languages, consider working with a translation service or bilingual writer who can assist with creating accurate translations.

Are there any specific cultural or religious considerations when writing an obituary?

Yes, different cultures and religions have unique traditions and customs surrounding death and mourning. Be respectful of these differences when writing an obituary and consider consulting with spiritual leaders or cultural experts if needed.

Can I include quotes or poems in an obituary?

Absolutely! Including quotes or poems can add depth and meaning to the obituary. Choose pieces that resonate with the person's personality or reflect their values and beliefs.