Portage Lake--- Andrew "Baby Dear" Belanger, 65, turned onto Heaven's Highway on Sunday, November 6, 2022, while just beginning his valiant battle with cancer. He was born December 12, 1956, in Eagle Lake, a son of the late Roderick and Gloria (Bolstridge) Belanger and graduated from Ashland Community High School.

Following high school, Andy went on to graduate from the John Cobb School of Truck Driving, and so began his lifelong career and love of the open road. He was a master navigator of the North Maine Woods, who could maneuver his rig into and out of the most testing roads and trails. Taking to the open road, he'd haul clear across the country to Oregon, where he also delighted to visit with his siblings. It's been rumored Rand McNally Road Atlas was based on his knowledge of the roads, but Andy was sworn to secrecy and was too humble to confirm.

Andy is fondly remembered by his family and friends as the life of every gathering. His jokes and puns drove the smiles and laughs out of anyone within earshot, and his deep belly-laughs that followed echoed over the hills of Portage and across the blacktops of truck stops, which reminded everyone life is good and always gets better.

His last several years of his illustrious trucking career were with Wade McCrum, who started as a boss, but quickly became Andy's very dear friend. In addition, Andy's humor and personality will be sorely missed by the many ladies tending to the truck stops he frequently visited.

His legacy will be remembered and shared by three brothers, Stephen "Ma" Belanger of Oregon, Alan "Fuzz" Belanger and his wife Nola, Gary "Wings" Belanger and his wife Lori, all of Portage; baby sister, Lynn "Finns" Jones and her husband Darrel, of Oregon; a slew of nieces, nephews and cousins; and the many dear friends he's met at destinations and truck stops across the country.

Joining him along Heaven's Highway, Andy is reunited with his parents, a sister-in-law, Marilyn Belanger, and several uncles.

Funeral services will be announced in the Spring of 2023 by Lajoie Funeral Home, 114 Exchange St./PO Box 39, Ashland. To share memories and condolences online, please visit Andy's Tribute Page at www.LajoieFuneralHome.com

***** SERVICE ANNOUNCEMENT          **** *

Portage Lake--- In loving memory of Andrew "Baby Dear" Belanger, 65, of Portage Lake, who passed away Sunday, November 6, 2022, and his sister-in-law, Marilyn (Smith) Belanger, 62, of Salem, OR, who passed away August 1, 2022.

A graveside service will be celebrated at 11 AM on Saturday, August 5, 2023, at Portage Lake Municipal Cemetery, Rte. 11/Portage Rd, Portage. Arrangements are a service of Lajoie Funeral Home, 114 Exchange St./PO Box 39, Ashland. To view full obituary and to share memories and condolences online, please visit Andy's Tribute Page at www.LajoieFuneralHome.com