MADAWASKA and SACO – Roger Dufour, 87, passed away at The Landing at Saco Bay Memory Care Center on July 30, 2025, from complications of Alzheimer’s Dementia. He was born in Madawaska, Maine, on July 24, 1938, the son of the late Patrick and Cecile (Collin) Dufour.
Roger is a graduate of Madawaska High School, Southern Maine Technical College, and University of Southern Maine. After graduating from high school in 1956, Roger attended SMTC, earning an associate degree as a master electrician. Roger then joined the U.S. Army and served his country from 1958 to 1960, ultimately ending up at Supreme Headquarters Allied Powers Europe (SHAPE), in Paris, France. Roger had wonderful memories of his time overseas, visiting such sites as the Arch of Triumph, Les Champs Elysee, the Eiffel Tower, and several countries including Germany, England, and Sweden. He was fond of his brand new white sports car, an MG, that he purchased in France and had shipped to the U.S. upon his honorable discharge in 1960.
Roger then began working at Fraser Paper in Madawaska as a master electrician, and shortly after, in December 1960, Roger met the love of his life, Rejeanne Lessard. Four months after meeting, they were engaged, and four months after that, they were married on August 12, 1961. In the spring of 1962, they had their brand-new home built, and in January 1963, their only child, Louise, was born to them.
Roger continued working at Fraser Paper but felt a strong calling to continue his education and become an industrial arts teacher. Roger made an arrangement with his wife that he would volunteer to work the night shift at the mill, in order to be able to attend classes during the day at UMFK, and Rejeanne would be home caring for Louise and the house. Roger eventually earned his first Bachelor of Science degree in trade and industry, and started teaching at Madawaska High School in 1971. Roger earned a second Bachelor of Science degree in industrial arts through USM in 1979, and later earned a master’s degree in education in 1981, graduating with high distinction, from USM. Since online classes did not exist at the time, Roger’s master’s degree was completed through concentrated six week courses at USM. In order to accomplish this, Roger would leave his home late evening on Sunday night, drive 400 miles to USM, arriving in time for his first class on Monday morning. On Friday afternoon, as soon as his last class was done, he would quickly jump in his car and drive the 400 miles back to Madawaska for a brief 48 hours, just in time to mow the lawn, paint the house, whatever needed to be done, and spend time with his family. It took Roger ten years of summer classes to attain his master’s degree in education, but Roger was persistent and attained his goal. Throughout this schooling, Roger never neglected his responsibilities as a husband, father, his church, service to the community, and meticulous upkeep of the home. His wife, Rejeanne, was his strongest advocate, and together, they made an excellent team, providing a shining example for their daughter, Louise, of faith, tenacity, determination, strong work ethic, and self discipline, just to name a few. Madawaska High School hired Roger as their electrician during the summer months, where Roger worked this in around his summer classes at USM. Roger taught industrial arts at MHS for nearly thirty years, thoroughly enjoying his profession. He also coached the high school tennis team for many years.
Roger and his wife, Rejeanne, were both very industrious and inseparable, working on hobbies together, such as gardening, maintaining their home and well manicured yard, and cooking and baking together. Roger also enjoyed playing tennis, fishing, snowshoeing, skating, and swimming, where for more than thirty years, he would swim 80 to 100 laps, at least three times per week, at St. Louis’s College indoor pool, all at 6 a.m. in the morning, and then be ready to start his day’s work at home or at school as a teacher! Roger built himself a magnificent woodworking shop and built beautiful furniture for his home, as well as his daughter’s home. Being a devout Catholic, Roger was a member of the Knights of Columbus, 4th Degree, for more than fifty years. The Knights focus on charitable services to church, community, and family. Roger was a man of high integrity and strong work ethic, striving for excellence in everything he attempted. He had a light-hearted, happy disposition, loved to sing and dance, and was always such a gentleman. He was a devoted husband, and the best dad a daughter could ever ask for. Perhaps one of Roger’s greatest joys was spending time in his pretty back yard with his beloved wife, Rejeanne, and daughter, Louise and her husband, Stephen, admiring the birds and chatting in their glider swing.
Roger is survived by his daughter, Louise (Dufour) Beaudoin and her husband, Stephen, of Scarborough, ME; one sibling, Mrs. Patricia (Dufour) Ahlmark of Jacksonville, NC; sisters-in-law and brothers-in-law, Mrs. Rena Lessard of Montreal, Mrs. Dolores St. Pierre of New Bedford, MA, Guy Lessard and his wife, Jacqueline, of Courcelles, Quebec, and Reginald Domingue of Courcelles, Quebec; along with several nieces and nephews. Roger was predeceased by his loving wife of 62 years, Rejeanne Lessard Dufour; and by his three siblings, Gerald Dufour (Rose Michaud) of Frenchville, Robert Dufour (Nicole Martineau) of Montreal, and Carol Dufour Baker (Paul Baker).
The family wishes to thank the outstanding staff at The Landing at Saco Bay Memory Care, in Saco, as well as Beacon Hospice, all of whom were devoted professionals in caring for Roger. We cannot say enough good things about these dedicated angels and have enormous respect and gratitude for all of you.
A Mass of Christian burial will be celebrated 10 a.m. on Tuesday, August 5, 2025, at St. Thomas Aquinas Catholic Church in Madawaska. Relatives and friends may call at Lajoie Funeral Home in Madawaska from 6 to 8 p.m. on Monday, August 4. There will be no visiting hours on Tuesday before the Mass. For those unable to attend, the funeral will be live streamed and will be available online for approximately two weeks at stjohnvalley.live. In lieu of flowers, please consider donating to the Alzheimer’s Association at alz.org, St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital (very near to Roger’s heart), or an animal shelter of your choice. For online condolences, please visit
lajoiefuneralhome.com.
Roger is a graduate of Madawaska High School, Southern Maine Technical College, and University of Southern Maine. After graduating from high school in 1956, Roger attended SMTC, earning an associate degree as a master electrician. Roger then joined the U.S. Army and served his country from 1958 to 1960, ultimately ending up at Supreme Headquarters Allied Powers Europe (SHAPE), in Paris, France. Roger had wonderful memories of his time overseas, visiting such sites as the Arch of Triumph, Les Champs Elysee, the Eiffel Tower, and several countries including Germany, England, and Sweden. He was fond of his brand new white sports car, an MG, that he purchased in France and had shipped to the U.S. upon his honorable discharge in 1960.
Roger then began working at Fraser Paper in Madawaska as a master electrician, and shortly after, in December 1960, Roger met the love of his life, Rejeanne Lessard. Four months after meeting, they were engaged, and four months after that, they were married on August 12, 1961. In the spring of 1962, they had their brand-new home built, and in January 1963, their only child, Louise, was born to them.
Roger continued working at Fraser Paper but felt a strong calling to continue his education and become an industrial arts teacher. Roger made an arrangement with his wife that he would volunteer to work the night shift at the mill, in order to be able to attend classes during the day at UMFK, and Rejeanne would be home caring for Louise and the house. Roger eventually earned his first Bachelor of Science degree in trade and industry, and started teaching at Madawaska High School in 1971. Roger earned a second Bachelor of Science degree in industrial arts through USM in 1979, and later earned a master’s degree in education in 1981, graduating with high distinction, from USM. Since online classes did not exist at the time, Roger’s master’s degree was completed through concentrated six week courses at USM. In order to accomplish this, Roger would leave his home late evening on Sunday night, drive 400 miles to USM, arriving in time for his first class on Monday morning. On Friday afternoon, as soon as his last class was done, he would quickly jump in his car and drive the 400 miles back to Madawaska for a brief 48 hours, just in time to mow the lawn, paint the house, whatever needed to be done, and spend time with his family. It took Roger ten years of summer classes to attain his master’s degree in education, but Roger was persistent and attained his goal. Throughout this schooling, Roger never neglected his responsibilities as a husband, father, his church, service to the community, and meticulous upkeep of the home. His wife, Rejeanne, was his strongest advocate, and together, they made an excellent team, providing a shining example for their daughter, Louise, of faith, tenacity, determination, strong work ethic, and self discipline, just to name a few. Madawaska High School hired Roger as their electrician during the summer months, where Roger worked this in around his summer classes at USM. Roger taught industrial arts at MHS for nearly thirty years, thoroughly enjoying his profession. He also coached the high school tennis team for many years.
Roger and his wife, Rejeanne, were both very industrious and inseparable, working on hobbies together, such as gardening, maintaining their home and well manicured yard, and cooking and baking together. Roger also enjoyed playing tennis, fishing, snowshoeing, skating, and swimming, where for more than thirty years, he would swim 80 to 100 laps, at least three times per week, at St. Louis’s College indoor pool, all at 6 a.m. in the morning, and then be ready to start his day’s work at home or at school as a teacher! Roger built himself a magnificent woodworking shop and built beautiful furniture for his home, as well as his daughter’s home. Being a devout Catholic, Roger was a member of the Knights of Columbus, 4th Degree, for more than fifty years. The Knights focus on charitable services to church, community, and family. Roger was a man of high integrity and strong work ethic, striving for excellence in everything he attempted. He had a light-hearted, happy disposition, loved to sing and dance, and was always such a gentleman. He was a devoted husband, and the best dad a daughter could ever ask for. Perhaps one of Roger’s greatest joys was spending time in his pretty back yard with his beloved wife, Rejeanne, and daughter, Louise and her husband, Stephen, admiring the birds and chatting in their glider swing.
Roger is survived by his daughter, Louise (Dufour) Beaudoin and her husband, Stephen, of Scarborough, ME; one sibling, Mrs. Patricia (Dufour) Ahlmark of Jacksonville, NC; sisters-in-law and brothers-in-law, Mrs. Rena Lessard of Montreal, Mrs. Dolores St. Pierre of New Bedford, MA, Guy Lessard and his wife, Jacqueline, of Courcelles, Quebec, and Reginald Domingue of Courcelles, Quebec; along with several nieces and nephews. Roger was predeceased by his loving wife of 62 years, Rejeanne Lessard Dufour; and by his three siblings, Gerald Dufour (Rose Michaud) of Frenchville, Robert Dufour (Nicole Martineau) of Montreal, and Carol Dufour Baker (Paul Baker).
The family wishes to thank the outstanding staff at The Landing at Saco Bay Memory Care, in Saco, as well as Beacon Hospice, all of whom were devoted professionals in caring for Roger. We cannot say enough good things about these dedicated angels and have enormous respect and gratitude for all of you.
A Mass of Christian burial will be celebrated 10 a.m. on Tuesday, August 5, 2025, at St. Thomas Aquinas Catholic Church in Madawaska. Relatives and friends may call at Lajoie Funeral Home in Madawaska from 6 to 8 p.m. on Monday, August 4. There will be no visiting hours on Tuesday before the Mass. For those unable to attend, the funeral will be live streamed and will be available online for approximately two weeks at stjohnvalley.live. In lieu of flowers, please consider donating to the Alzheimer’s Association at alz.org, St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital (very near to Roger’s heart), or an animal shelter of your choice. For online condolences, please visit
lajoiefuneralhome.com.
