Madawaska--- Marcel D. Deschaine, 68, passed unexpectedly February 27, 2024, following several years of declining health. He was born May 2, 1955, in Edmundston, NB, Canada, a son of Anne (Fournier) Deschaine and the late Reginald Deschaine and raised in Madawaska.

Following graduating from Madawaska High School, Class of 1973, Marcel enlisted in the US Marine Corps, serving stateside. Following his honorable discharge, he returned to his beloved hometown and worked as a coater operator with Fraser Paper and Twin River Paper Mills, where he was a dedicated employee for over 30 years. Marcel was a volunteer firefighter for many years and was a longtime member of the American Legion, Madawaska. He was exceptionally proud of his contributions to the FACE program with Fraser and Twin Rivers for many years.  Marcel loved the outdoors and was happiest maintaining his many woodlots, canoeing the St. John River, and rock collecting.

He is survived by his mother of Madawaska; two sisters, Doris Mai Caldwell of Lakehills, TX, and Rejeanne Martin and her husband Roger of St. David; two brothers, Lucien Deschaine of Portland, and Lionel Deschaine and his wife Joyce of Largo, FL; his many nieces and nephews, Kenneth, Dawn-Renee, Isreal, Michelle, Isaac, Renee, Andrea, January, and Autumn; and many friends near and far.

Besides his father, Marcel was predeceased by one brother Ghislain Deschaine.

A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated at 10 AM on Saturday, March 9, 2024 at St. Thomas Aquinas Church, Madawaska. Relatives and friends may greet the family Saturday morning 8:30-9:30 AM at Lajoie Funeral Home, 114 – 10th Ave., Madawaska. Interment will be in Maine Veterans Cemetery, Caribou. In lieu of flowers, donations in Marcels' name may be made to MIZPAH, 129 Doucette Rd., Grand Isle, ME 04746.