Harry J. Desjardins

July 12, 1939 – February 17, 2024

Harry J. Desjardins, 84, of Saco, Maine passed away peacefully surrounded by his loving family on Saturday, February 17 at Gosnell Memorial Hospice House in Scarborough.

Harry was born on July 12, 1939, to Alphonse and Lydia Desjardins on the family kitchen table in New Canada Plantation, Maine. He had four siblings, Evelyn, May, Nancy, and David. Harry's family moved to Fern Park Avenue in Old Orchard Beach when he was a child, where he attended Old Orchard schools graduating from Old Orchard Beach High School in the class of 1957.

Harry served his country, first in the Maine Army National Guard and then in the U.S. Air Force where he worked as an aircraft mechanic from 1958-1962 serving at Lackland AFB in Texas, Norton AFB in California, and also in Germany, and Portugal.

Harry met Mary Ellen McEnery prior to enlisting in the service and they would write often during his time away. Harry and Mary Ellen married on April 28, 1962, and together they raised four children, William, Leslie, Michael, and John from their home on Locke Street in Saco.

Harry earned a master's degree in education from the University of Southern Maine in Gorham, and he went on to teach industrial arts at Portland High School for more than 20 years. He also worked as a skilled carpenter for many years, which he took immense pride in.

Harry was a proud member of Biddeford-Saco Elks Lodge #1597 for 47 years where he served in many roles including Lodge Secretary, Exalted Ruler, and District Deputy. Harry competed in and coached the Elks ritual competition, where he won many awards including National Ritual Champion in the Loyal Knight position in Houston, Texas in 1984.

Harry loved hunting, fishing, golf, and most of all, his family. Harry is predeceased by his parents, his three sisters, and his beloved daughter-in-law Tammy. He is survived by his loving wife Mary Ellen of 61 years, and his four children, William of Saco, Leslie and her husband Anthony of Wake Forest, North Carolina, Michael and his wife Allison of Saco, and John and his wife Jessica of Saco. Harry is also survived by 11 grandchildren, Katrina, Travis, Erica, Kassandra, Ashley, Christina, Claudia, Hayley, Maddison, Lauren, and Lydia, and 6 great grandchildren, Connor, Remi, Anthony, Rylie, Leah, and Beckett.

Visiting hours will be from 4-7PM Thursday, February 22, 2024 and from 12-1PM Friday, February 23, 2024, at Cote Funeral Home Chapel, 87 James Street, Saco. The funeral service will follow the same day Friday at 1PM. Burial after the service will be at St. Mary's Cemetery in Biddeford, followed by a reception at Biddeford-Saco Elks Lodge, 68 Ocean Park Road, Saco.

Memorial donations may be made to the Maine Children's Cancer Program and the Gosnell Memorial Hospice House.