Normand Emile Gouin

Biddeford

Normand Emile Gouin, of Biddeford, loving husband, father, and pepérè, passed away peacefully with his family by his side on February 8, 2022, at Pinnacle Health & Rehabilitation in North Berwick, Maine after a long battle with Parkinson's disease.  He was 86 years old.

Normand was born on January 14, 1936, in Woonsocket, Rhode Island, the son of Wilfrid and Albina (Sevigny) Gouin. He entered La Mennais school, run by the Brothers of Christian Instruction in Alfred, ME at the age of thirteen and graduated high school there in 1953 and completed his Bachelor's Degree in 1960.  While in the community he had formally taken the name, Brother Augustine.

After teaching for a number of years at St. Ignatius School in Sanford, St. Louis High School in Biddeford and at Cathedral High School in Detroit, he made the decision to leave the community and moved to California to begin a new chapter in his life. In 1968 he met the love of his life, Madeleine Nadeau and married in Anaheim, CA in 1969. The couple were blessed with three children, Normand, Lorraine and Elena.

In 1979, Normand and Madeleine relocated their family to Biddeford, ME where they became an integral part of the community, making countless friends.  Normand was a faithful member of Most Holy Trinity Church, Good Shepherd Parish, in Saco. He gave his time freely and served as a cantor, leading the sung prayer of the community during mass for many years. Later in life Normand and Madeleine joined Holy Spirit Parish, where they attended weekly mass at St. Martha's Church in Kennebunk.

A man passionate about math and science, Normand spent most of his career working as both a computer programmer and systems analyst. An exceptional and beloved teacher, he taught computer software courses at both Westbrook College and University of Southern Maine for a number of years.

Outside of work, he loved photography, bird watching, building puzzles, singing, listening to music, scratch tickets and was an insatiable reader.  Of the many author's in Normand's library, none was more influential than the American Trappist monk, writer, theologian, mystic, and social activist, Thomas Merton.  Over the years he had amassed a collection of most of Merton's published works.

An avid sports fan he particularly loved hockey and college football.  The University of Notre Dame's Fighting Irish was his favorite college football team and the Pittsburgh Penguins was his favorite hockey team.  He followed both teams religiously and rarely missed a televised game.

For all the things Normand valued and considered precious, there was nothing he cherished more than his wife, children and grandchildren. He will be sadly missed.

Normand is preceded in death by his brother Richard Gouin.

He is survived his wife Madeleine Gouin; his son Normand J. Gouin and partner Wilfredo Diaz; his two daughters, Lorraine M. Adornetto and husband Jason, and Elena M. Cleary and husband Ryan; his sister Lucille M. Benoit of Mission Viejo, Ca; and his five grandchildren, Nicolas, Vincent, Olivia, Colin, and Sean .

Visiting Hours are from 5-7PM on Friday, February 11, 2022, at Cote Funeral Home Chapel in Saco. A Mass of Christian burial will be celebrated at 10:30AM on Saturday, February 12, 2022, at St. Martha's Church in Kennebunk.  Burial will follow at Laurel Hill Cemetery, Saco.

In lieu of flowers, please send donations in Normand's name to the Michael J. Fox Foundation for Parkinson's Research by clicking on the following link:

https://tribute.michaeljfox.org/tribute-page.php?id=2263&np=true

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