OLD TOWN - Benoit J. Bouchard, 95, died Aug. 6, 2007, in Orono. Benoit was born April 11, 1912, in Old Town, the son of John and Henedine (St. Pierre) Bouchard. He graduated from Old Town High School in 1931 and Washington State Normal School, Machias, in 1934. He received his bachelor’s degree from Farmington State Teachers’ College and a master’s degree from the University of Maine. His first teaching position was in East New Portland, where he taught for three years. In 1937, he returned to Old Town to teach the sixth grade at the Herbert Gray school and was made principal of that school in 1938. Ben served in that position until his retirement in 1972. After his retirement, until he reached age 80, he substituted in Old Town schools in all grades from kindergarten through high school. He loved children. In all, he gave 55 years of devoted service to the youth of Old Town. During his years as principal, Ben brought many innovations into his school. He started annual operettas, which were mammoth musical productions held yearly in the city hall. Then, his sixth grade class produced a marionette show every year for several years. He introduced the Parent/Teacher’s Association, PTA, in his school and this was soon adopted in all the elementary schools in Old Town. Ben was a fine musician and played both the violin and trombone. In his high school days he was a member of both the orchestra and the band. In college, he was an active member of the Kappa Delta Phi fraternity. He earned his way through college by giving violin lessons and playing for dances. After college he was connected with two musical organizations, one an orchestra, which was composed of members of the Bouchard family and the other the Duffy orchestra in Orono.

I’ve heard it’s what you do with the dash in your life that matters. This obituary of Mr. Bouchard doesn’t begin to talk about what he did with the dash in his life.

From kindergarten through sixth grade Mr. Bouchard was the principal of Herbert Gray school, where Guss and I attended, as well as our aunts, uncle and mothers.

He walked with a big limp, which I found out recently was from polio.

He played his violin for us in class. Did I mention that in addition to being the principal he taught sixth grade half a day?

He was a stickler for penmanship and I fear he would be horrified by my lack of good penmanship. He taught us other topics too.

How well I remember the marionette show we put on! It was the most fun I had ever had up to that point. Everyone had a part.

He was a great teacher and a kind man. He once told me he played in my grandfather’s orchestra, and knowing someone who knew my grandfather made me feel special.

He loved Studebakers and I cannot think of a day when I didn’t see a Studebaker in the parking lot of our school.

He had a stroke several years ago and was in a nursing home where he was the life of the party.

On Monday he took a bad turn and on Tuesday afternoon at 2 o’clock he went home to Heaven. He left behind 2 children and several grandchildren and great-grandchildren. His beloved wife predeceased him by sixteen months.

Mr. Bouchard, some fifty plus years later your dash is still making a difference in my life. The world is a sadder place now that you have left it. I’m going to miss you.