Van Buren--- It is with great sadness that we announce the passing of Edwin Albert Berube, 89, after a brief stay at a Caribou hospital, following a period of declining health.  He passed peacefully to his eternal rest with God on July 6, 2021, with his wife of 63 years, Therese, and his family by his side.

Born on August 29, 1931 in Keegan, Edwin was the eldest son of the late Albert and Cecile Thibodeau Berube.  He attended Keegan Grammar School until the age of 15 when he replaced schooling with assistance on the large Berube farm.  Before marrying, he greatly enjoyed his 1949 Harley Davidson and other two-wheeled modes of transportation (despite his Ma's urging to just get a car). In 1958 Edwin married Therese LeClerc of Grand Falls, New Brunswick, after which they made Van Buren their home.   In the early years, he worked on construction at Loring AFB in Limestone,  then worked at Pratt & Whitney in Wallingford, CT for a short period.  After a time, his cherished hometown in Northern Maine called him back home.  He achieved his goal of learning appliance repair through a correspondence course, then opened his own repair shop, Berube Appliance Parts, in 1960.   A very valued, trustworthy, honest and hardworking repairman, his business, which was also run by his wife Therese,  continued until 2020.  He was trusted to repair everything from curling irons, shavers and blow dryers to toasters, vacuums, washers, dryers, and stoves.  Edwin finally retired after making his last house call at the age of 83.   Many customers gratefully purchased his refurbished appliances; he strongly believed in the wisdom of repairing and reusing rather than discarding in order to minimize waste.  His work ethic, resourcefulness and thrift were born of the Great Depression and followed him throughout his life -- a characteristic passed down to his girls.

Edwin enjoyed driving on trips to the province of Québec and to many other places in Maine, including in Aroostook County, along the St. John Valley, and in neighboring New Brunswick.   Summer weekends at his camper at Lac Baker with his family were also special.  His well-manicured and sizeable vegetable garden on the family farm in Keegan brought him great satisfaction and pride, as did the many containers of fiddleheads, strawberries, blueberries and hazelnuts he enjoyed picking. Snowmobiling, cross-country skiing, biking, ATVing, and (square-) dancing with Tess were activities he enjoyed through the years.  Edwin loved listening to music and  playing melodies by ear on the organ or harmonica.  'Les Fraises et les Framboises,' 'The Mexican Hat Dance' and many other tunes brought him joy.  He loved laughter and enjoyed telling stories of his 'good old days' (often mischievous, including playing with dynamite).  The world was a kinder, gentler and happier place with him in it.  He was a hard-working, humble, friendly, and good-humored  man who will be dearly missed by all who knew him.

Edwin's spirit will live on in those who survive him: his wife Therese, his dear daughters Gisele Campbell (Bill) of Presque Isle, ME and Denise Berube-Mayone of Middlebury, VT, and his two grandchildren Leslie Campbell Baptista (Ryan) of Otis, ME and Maxim Mayone of Burlington, VT.  His four siblings Gloria, Ann, Arnold and Dan, along with numerous nieces and nephews also survive him.

Visiting hours will take place at Lajoie Funeral Home, 118 High St., Van Buren, from 6:00 until 8:00pm on Monday, July 12, 2021.  As a life-long communicant of St. Remi and St. Bruno parishes in Keegan and Van Buren,  Edwin's mass of Christian burial will be celebrated on July 13, 2021 at 10:00am at St. Bruno-St. Remi Catholic Church, Main St., Van Buren.  Burial will follow in the Grande Rivière Cimetière, Van Buren.

The family would like to extend their sincere appreciation to the doctors and staff who took such good care of Edwin at Cary Medical Center.  In lieu of flowers, contributions in Edwin's memory may be made to  St. Bruno - St. Remi Catholic Church Renovation Fund, Van Buren, ME, the Knights of Columbus, or the charity of your choice.