SOUTH LARGO, FLORIDA
Jean “Babe” Rodrigue, age 93, passed away peacefully Friday, October 12, 2018 at Cabot Cove Assisted Living Community with his family by his side. “Babe” was born on June 3, 1925 to the late Alphonse and Susanne (Cyr) Rodrigue.
Babe resided in Augusta, ME with his family until 1996 when he and his late wife, Shirley Marie (Dostie) Rodrigue spent their retirement in Clearwater, FL.
Babe enlisted in the U.S. Navy in 1943 and served in World War II until 1946 when he was honorably discharged, earning an Air Medal for bravery. He served as an Aviation Machinists Mate, Second Class and a Turret Gunner aboard the TBF Avenger Torpedo Bomber which flew from the now decommissioned U.S.S. Anzio Aircraft Carrier.
After his service in the military, Babe returned home to his family and employment at the Former Edwards Cotton Mill in Augusta. He also became a Machinist at The Pratt & Whitney Technologies Plant in both Connecticut and Maine locations. He then took employment at Westinghouse Electric Company, now Eastern Electric Company, where he retired, working part time transporting vehicles for local car dealerships as he loved driving.
Babe was also a lifetime member of Le Club Calumet located in Augusta where he served as it’s President in 1980, and was an active and participating member until relocating to Florida.
He enjoyed life in his early years as an avid and professional baseball player in both Canada and New England, becoming a long time coach, umpire and board member in the Augusta Little League Baseball System.
Babe was known for his quiet, calm humblism and love for athletics, woodworking and helping others he lived with in Shady Lane Village, FL.
He was pre-deceased by his loving wife, Shirley Marie (Dostie) Rodrigue; a son, Alfred A. Rodrigue; his parents Alphonse and Susanne (Cyr) Rodrigue; his two brothers: Joseph and Lionel and his eight sisters: Mary-Jane, Edith, Grace, Marguerite, Dora, Yvette, Marie and Eglantine.
Babe is survived by his daughter, Linda M. Gagne of Chelsea, ME; his sons: James R. Rodrigue of Wellesley, MA, John E. Rodrigue of Bass Harbor, ME and Richard N. Rodrigue of Surfside Beach, SC; his grandchildren: Melanie Gagne, Amy Lerette, Mathew Rodrigue, Tyler Rodrigue, Nicholas Rodrigue, Dallas Rodrigue, Grace Rodrigue, Olivia Rodrigue and Simone Rodrigue; great grandchildren: Joey Salvas, Madilyn Salvas, Brady Lerette, Emma Lerette, Elizabeth Rodrigue and Benjamin Rodrigue as well as many nieces, nephews and cousins.
He loved his children, grandchildren and great grandchildren dearly and spoke proudly of them often as his humble smile and light blue eyes sparkled at their sight or mention of their names.
The Rodrigue family would like to thank Babe's longtime friends of Augusta and Clearwater, Pine Bay Veterans Healthcare System and Cabot Cove Assisted Living Community for all their friendship, caring and support through the years. A very special thank you to his great friends at Shady Lane Village for all your help through these difficult times and your unconditional friendship throughout the years. Many grateful thanks to our dad's special friends: Frank Houghtling for his special care and unconditional assistance and friendship of our dad along with John and Judy Judson for keeping him active with social life. He cherished your companionship and friendship.
At his request, there will be no public visiting hours. A committal service with military honors will be held on Friday, November 2nd at 2 PM at the new Maine Veterans Memorial Cemetery, Mt. Vernon Rd., Augusta. Burial will be in the old Maine Veterans Memorial Cemetery on Civic Center Dr. at a later date.
In lieu of flowers or gifts, please make a donation in Babe’s memory to: Disabled American Veterans, PO Box 14301, Cincinnati, OH, 45250.