Henri "Leo" Sanschagrin

Saco

Henri Leo Sanschagrin, 85, of Saco, passed away peacefully on Monday, November 10, 2025, surrounded by his loving family. Leo was known for his warmth and generosity, whether through a helping hand or some sound advice to family, friends, and neighbors.

Leo, as he was known by many, was born on July 31st, 1940, in Berlin, New Hampshire. He grew up in the White Mountains where he developed a strong sense of family, hard work, and kindness that guided him throughout his life. After graduating from Notre Dame High School in Berlin, he joined the Army National Guard and proudly served his country for twenty years.

In 1965, while working as a Parts Manager at an automotive repair shop in Berlin, he met the love of his life, Anita Lambert, who was working for the local Met Life office. They married on July 16th, 1966, at St. Joseph's Church in Biddeford, Maine. They were married for 59 years.

In 1967 they moved to Saco, where Leo would work and raise his family. For over forty years he worked in the textile industry including West Point Pepperell Mills, the Biddeford Tannery, and later at Biddeford Textile where he retired as a Chemist/Color Weigher.

Leo was devoted to his community. He served as scoutmaster of Boy Scout Troop 310. After retirement Leo and Anita volunteered together for over ten years at Southern Maine Medical in Biddeford greeting and assisting patients find their way to appointments across the hospital.

An avid outdoorsman, he enjoyed camping, hunting, and fishing with his extended family. He was also an enthusiastic football fan and loved cheering on the local Thornton Academy high school football team and the Patriots. After retirement he traveled the world with his wife, Anita and other family members. His favorite trip was an African safari in Kenya.

A devoted husband, father and pépère, Leo's greatest joy was found in the company of those he loved. He will be forever remembered for his kindness, generosity and unwavering love and devotion to his family.

He is survived by his loving wife Anita Sanschagrin, his son Guy (Kristine) Sanschagrin, daughter Nicole (Kerry) Getchell, daughter Danielle Sanschagrin, grandchildren Alec, Jack, and Annika Sanschagrin, and Nathan Getchell, sister Doris MacDonald, brothers George (Lise) and Roger (Louise) and several nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by his parents Albert and Alice Sanschagrin.

A Funeral Mass will be held at 11AM Saturday, November 22, 2025 at Most Holy Trinity in Saco. Burial will follow in St. Joseph's Cemetery, Biddeford.

To honor his memory, the family kindly requests donations to The Michael J. Fox Foundation for Parkinson's Research https://www.michaeljfox.org

To view Leo's memorial page or leave an online condolence please visit www.cotefuneralhome.com