Fort Kent and New Canada --- Claude Dumond, 95, was called to his eternal reward on February 2, 2020.  He was born in Fort Kent on May 31, 1924, the son of the late George and Emma (Austin) Dumond. He was a graduate of Fort Kent High School, Class of 1942, and a veteran of World War II.  In 1948, he married the love of his life Annette Jandreau, a marriage that lasted 66 years. They moved to the family farm in New Canada where together they raised eight children. He started his life's work as a farmer but in 1954 he was hired to be town manager for New Canada, a position he held for 32 years. In 1958, he became a full-time town manager for Eagle Lake until 1968 when he started his 18-year career as town manager of Fort Kent until his retirement in 1986. His accomplishments in all three municipalities as town manager were many, but his greatest accomplishment was the flood prevention dikes in Fort Kent built by the Army Corps of Engineers. Other projects that he saw to completion during his administration are as follows: the building of a new municipal center, a new water and waste water system, and a modern potato packing and storage facility, the development of an industrial park which was the catalyst for the expansion of Kent Inc, a 150,000 square-foot children's sleepwear factory, and the coordination with federal offices for a new Customs and Border Patrol station. He also oversaw the relocations of many homes in the lower flood plain and the creation of Riverside Recreation Park. He was very successful in acquiring Community Block Grant funding to upgrade existing housing and roads along with water and sewer lines. He was often called "Mr. Grant" by state and federal officials because of his aggressiveness and determination in obtaining grant money for the three municipalities he worked for. His cheerful disposition, good moral character and strong work ethic won him the admiration and the success he experienced in his career. In 1986 he was named Maine's Manager of the Year by the Maine Town and City Manager's Association. He was a past president of the Aroostook County Town and City Managers Association, he served on the Maine Municipal Association's legislative committee and he served on various other boards. He was past president of the Fort Kent Rotary Club, a State Court Trustee and a past Chief Ranger of St Anthony's Ct. of Catholic Order of Foresters in Wallagrass by which he was chosen Forester of the Year in 1989. He was a past Faithful Pilot in the 4th Degree Knights of Columbus of which he was a member for over 70 years. He was a 73-year devoted member, finance officer and Post Commander of the American Legion Post 133 in Fort Kent.  In 1996, the Greater Fort Kent Area Chamber of Commerce bestowed upon him the honor of "Citizen of the Year" for having contributed time, talent and effort into the communities he always took great pride in.  He was a communicant of the St Joseph Catholic Church in Soldier Pond where he was a lifelong member of the choir group. He also served as president of the parish council, lector, eucharistic minister and various other Parish committees. He helped build the Lady of Lourde grotto in Soldier Pond, Maine in 1956 and he proudly maintained it for over 50 years. He made his Cursillo in 1980 and was a devoted Catholic practicing his religion and developing his faith fervently. In his retirement, he enjoyed spending time at the family camp on Eagle Lake where he and his wife Annette loved to fish. There were many happy memories made at the camp with family reunions, close friends, class reunions, weddings, and kids learning to fish and swim for the first time. He enjoyed working in his large vegetable and perennial flower gardens. He made many beautiful flower arrangements from his flower gardens for Sunday masses, the local long-term care facilities and family weddings. If he thought it would make you happy, he loved sharing his flowers with you. Claude loved the big family gatherings at his home especially at Christmas. He had so much Christmas spirit, always making sure that the house was beautifully decorated inside and out for when his children, grandchildren and great grandchildren came home for Christmas. There was always something so special and heartwarming when we turned into the long driveway and saw the house and the yard all decorated to welcome us. He was proud of his French heritage and love speaking it. He and his siblings love to reminisce about their memories of growing up and that is when they decided to record their memoirs and share it with each other on their newly invented computers. These memories will be treasured by his family and future generations to come. Shortly after our Dad became a resident of Crosswinds Residential Care, he was chosen by the Maine Healthcare Association to receive the 2014 Remember ME Achievement Award. He received the honors, along with other recipients in the State of Maine during a ceremony held at the State House in Augusta on April 11, 2014. Our father was a man known for his generosity, his kindness, and his great sense of humor. He always had a smile on his face and a kind word to share with others.  He was a devoted husband who loved his wife dearly and oh how they loved to dance together.  His children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren are left with a legacy of a man they will always treasure. He will be missed by his family and the many who knew him. Those he leaves behind to cherish his memories are one daughter Bernice Jalbert (Frank) of New Canada. Six sons, James (Betty) of Portage Lake; George (Kelly) of Fort Kent; David (Rita) of Bangor; Ervin (Carla) of Hollis; Steven of Wallagrass and Dana (Michelle) of Portland. One son-in-law, Lawrence "Gene" Gagnon (Deborah) of Fort Kent. 18 grandchildren and 11 great grandchildren. Three sisters, Laurette Babkirk of Gorham; Delores Levecque of Augusta and Joan Palmer of Dover Foxcroft. One brother, Philip Dumond of Fort Kent. He is also survived by a special aunt, Alfreda Dumond of Fort Kent and many nieces, nephews and cousins. He is predeceased by his daughter Claudette Gagnon, one sister Rowena Breau and her husband Rodrick. Four brothers, Dana, Finland, Lloyd and Roland. Our family would like to publicly extend its deepest gratitude for the many years of exceptional care given to our father by Dr. James Harris, the medical staff of Northern Maine Medical Center and the Crosswinds Residential Care Facility staff. A Mass of Christian Burial, with full Military and Knights of Columbus honors, will be celebrated at 10am on Wednesday, February 5, 2020 at St. Louis Church in Fort Kent. Family and friends may call at Lajoie-Daigle Funeral Home on from 8– 9:45am, the morning of the service. Interment will be held in the Spring, at the family lot at the Sacred Heart Cemetery. Friends who wish may contribute in Claude's memory to the Crosswinds Residential Care's activity fund, 40 Village Rd, Fort Kent, ME 04743 or to a charity of their choice.