Rep. Peterson remembers J. Eugene Boivin

AUGUSTA – Reps. Matt Peterson, D-Rumford, and Sheryl Briggs, D-Mexico, honored the memory of Joseph Eugene Boivin, a lifelong resident of Rumford, with a legislative sentiment adopted by the House Thursday. Mr. Boivin passed away in January, 2010.

Mr. Boivin was born and raised in Rumford, graduated from Stephens High School, married his sweetheart, Geraldine “Gerry” DuPaul, and had one son and daughter. He was a professional firefighter for over 30 years with the Rumford Fire Department, retiring in 1989 as Fire Chief.

“Mr. Bovin was always up to something good, something designed to serve his neighbors and the town that he loved,” said Peterson. “With his bare hands, his huge heart, and a vision for what our community could be, Eugene, both literally and figuratively, helped to build Rumford into the unique part of the world that we are today.”

During his career, he served six years in the Army National Guard, was elected to the MSAD 43 school board and served as Rumford town selectman. Due to Mr. Boivin’s dedication to his community, including recently volunteering countless hours to help families build their own homes with Community Concepts, he was named Rumford’s Citizen of the Year and received the Volunteer of the Year award by the River Valley Chamber of Commerce.

"When Gene set his mind to something, he did it and he did it with passion and love!” said Briggs. “He has touched so many lives and as I thought about what he as done over the years, he had a hand in just about everything and his presence will be remembered and felt for many years to come."

Boivin is survived by his wife, brother, sisters, children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren.

Full remarks from Rep. Peterson can be found below.

House Sentiment for Joseph Eugene Boivin -- Remarks by Representative Matt Peterson


One of the real treats of Legislative service is having the opportunity to hear at every one of our sessions sentiments expressed for outstanding achievements and lives well lived. Nothing is more inspiring than when the House presents a sentiment acknowledging someone from our own community and our own history. It's a privilege today to add a word or two to this tribute to Mr. Boivin.

When you grow up in a small town you become aware of what’s happening all around you -- both good and bad -- even if you cannot understand the details. Activities and people reoccur constantly, and you catch sight of them almost wherever you go, always noticing them out of the corner of your eye. School events, community events, town events -- some folks are always there and always making things happen. As a young person, you become aware when people are up to something -- and Mr. Boivin was always up to something. What he was always up to was something good, something designed to serve his neighbors and the town that he loved. Fire Chief, Selectman, School Board Member, Tireless Volunteer. With his bare hands, his huge heart, and a vision for what our community could be--Eugene, both literally and figuratively, helped to build Rumford into the unique part of the world that we are today.

Maine towns are blessed to have these citizens like this and Rumford was particularly fortunate to have Mr. Boivin who was on just about every corner where there was something that needed to be done, or someone who needed to be helped, or a problem that needed a common sense solution. A life of service, like that of Mr. Boivin, inspires the next generation to pick up the work and continue the service. My world had been and was continuing to be forged by the care and service of Mr. Boivin’s life, and I understand a little better now what his positive energy meant for my town as I was growing up. It is the spirit that is the best of Rumford -- and I want to add my deepest appreciation to his wife Gerry and brother Arthur, who are here with us today, for the great example he was to his friends and neighbors -- and all the people of the River Valley who had a chance to see him in action. He is fondly remembered and will be missed. He touched many lives in many ways -- and I am proud to acknowledge the many ways in which he touched my life, too.