Madawaska—In loving memory of the very storied life of Gilman Nadeau, 83, who died on January 19, 2026.  Born on June 1, 1942, Gilman was the eldest of 14 children who were born to the late Aurele and Imelda Nadeau.

Growing up in Madawaska, Maine was all normal until his father had an accident when Gilman was in his early high school years.

Gilman chose to quit school to help his family.  He immediately started working to help maintain food on the table and to pay to have utilities to survive for his whole family.  Gilman quickly became the patriarch in his family.

Gilman was then drafted into the military.  He served his country honorably in the Army for multiple years, having been stationed in Oklahoma and Texas to name a couple duty stations.  After his time in the military had ended, Gilman moved back to Maine where he did various things to include many construction trades.  He also worked for the railroad for some time.

Gilman found love with Huguette Couturier and after a brief romance, they quickly got married in 1968.  Within a few years of getting married, Gilman and Huguette had two boys close in age.  Steve Nadeau being the oldest and Gregg Nadeau being the youngest.

When the children were young, Gilman and Huguette moved the family to Connecticut and after many years settled in Waterbury, CT.  While in his late 40s, Gilman started his own company.  He found much success in his 50s and 60s working for his own company.

Gilman and Huguette moved back to Maine when he was in his 70s.  They moved into the family home that he had grown up in.  Gilman eventually went into a nursing facility, where he pleasantly passed his time working on puzzles and became known as The Puzzle King in his own puzzle area.

A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated at 10am on Friday, May 1, 2026, at the St. Thomas Church in Madawaska.  Family and friends may greet the family from 9am until the time of the service.  Burial will be at the Maine Veteran's Cemetery in Caribou.  Arrangements are a service of Lajoie Funeral Home.