Madawaska--- Aldéo Bélanger, 92, passed away peacefully on October 26, 2023, in Houston, TX. A son of Michel and Delia (Laplante) Bélanger, he was born in Saint-Hilaire, NB, Canada, on October 30, 1930.

Aldéo grew up in a large family on a small farm in the pastoral hills of Riceville, NB. Growing up on the 100-acre farm with a country store, gas pump and post office contributed to his strong sense of community. After graduating from agriculture school, he found Rina, the love of his life, at an apple festival. He seemed to know hundreds of people in New Brunswick and had a story for each of them. His outgoing personality and friendly smile made it easy for people to remember him as well.

After various jobs in dairy, sales, forestry, and mill work, Aldéo settled in Presque Isle, Maine, working for Coles Express trucking. After many years as a driver and then foreman, he worked for CT Shared Services driving and maintaining the mobile CT Scanner and MRI machine; he was fascinated with the experience related to medical imaging.

Picking fiddleheads was a springtime ritual. He and Rina were accomplished ballroom dancers. He loved nature and would marvel at what could spring forth from a tiny seed. Boating, water skiing, fishing, star gazing and gatherings at the lake house in Quebec with family were special times for him. He instilled in his children a strong faith in God, to be kind to others, and always have a good work ethic.

Aldéo was a 4th degree member of the Knights of Columbus, Madawaska, and loved singing in the choir at St. Thomas Aquinas Church in Madawaska. Helping others was always important to him, as was helping the church in every community he lived in, from Saint-Hilaire to Presque Isle then Madawaska. His faith and prayers were part of his everyday life.

He was proud of his children, his 17 grandchildren and delighted to meet each of his 17 great-grandchildren and was so looking forward to meeting his great-grandchild on the way. He was strong and quick and extremely active. His kids called him the "The Energizer Bunny" because he never stopped. Nephews called him "mon oncle radio" (uncle radio), which was also fitting since he could talk to anyone, anytime, anywhere. He would occasionally rent a pilot and plane to take the family for a ride. Aldéo was always grateful for all the help and support he received from family and friends and had many stories of the kindness of others that he so dearly cherished. He will be deeply missed by family and friends but leaves behind many stories and fun memories.

The entire family would like to express their gratitude to all the medical professionals and caregivers who took care of him throughout his life.

Aldéo is survived by his wife of 74 years, Rina; daughters: Lisette, Dianne, Francine, Linda, Angela; sons, André and Julien; his siblings, Micheline Ouellette, Irma Bélanger, Liette Thibault, Lucien Bélanger; numerous nieces and nephews and brothers-in-law and sister-in-law.

Besides his parents, he was predeceased by siblings: Angéline LaPierre, Jeannine LaForge, Georgette Picard, Aline Corriveau, Lucienne Ouellette, Marielle Bélanger, Laurien Bélanger, Rosaire Bélanger, Rino Bélanger and Solange Bélanger.

A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated at 10 AM on Saturday, November 11, 2023, at St. David Catholic Church, St. David. In lieu of flowers, donations in honor of Aldéo may be made to 40DaysForLife.com, Preborn.com, or other local life-giving organizations. Arrangements are a service of Lajoie Funeral Home & Cremation Service, 114-10th Ave., Madawaska.