Joseph Maurice Olivier Jr.

Joseph "Joe" Maurice Olivier Jr., 70 of North Belgrade, passed away unexpectedly from a heart attack in his home on Wed. Feb. 1, 2012. Joseph was born Jan. 28, 1942 the son of Lucienne Julien and Joseph Maurice Olivier. He grew up and attended Goveton High School in New Hampshire. Upon his graduation he joined the Air Force and served his country from 1960 until 1972. He was a decorated veteran of the Vietnam Conflict and was awarded the commendation medal, eventually achieving the rank of Tech Sergeant. Upon leaving the Air Force, he attended Plymouth State College and graduated with honors. Among his many occupations he owned his own business and later joined the Department of Human Services. He would work from 2001 until his retirement in Aug. of 2011. Joe was a member of the American Legion. From his young years, Joe was always an athlete, enjoying sports such as football and baseball. He maintained an active lifestyle into his adulthood. Aside from sports, he also enjoyed a good book. He constantly found himself engrossed in works of fiction, whether he be reading the stories of established authors or dabbling in the creation of his own. An animal-lover, he was the proud, affectionate owner of four dogs. He loved each of his pets, but one of them specifically, a poodle named Ginger, was "the light of his life." Just as he combined careful pen-strokes to create words, and with those words, stories, he meticulously worked on combining seed, water and earth to create flowers, and with those flowers, life. He always enjoyed working in his garden and always found something within it to keep himself busy. He is survived by his loving wife Judith Olivier also of North Belgrade; his two children, Joseph M. Olivier III of Naples, FL. and Angela Olivier of Atlanta, Georgia; a brother, Roland Emille Olivier of Australia; his step-children, Julie Jacques and husband Scott Nutting of Oakland and Joseph Wellington and wife Karen of Manchester, N.H.; his grandchildren, Christopher and Dana Olivier of Nebraska, Eric and Kacie Jacques of Oakland and Emma Wellington of Manchester, N.H.; and by a great-grandchild, Austin Olivier of Nebraska. Just as flowers brings light into the lives of their onlookers, he brought unfathomable happiness into the lives of all those fortunate enough to know him. As the vivid petals and sweet smells elate those who stop to appreciate them, his warm smile and hearty laughter made the days of so many people better in so many ways. Just as deep as the happiness he spread throughout his life is the extent to which he will be missed. Visiting hours will be held from 2 pm. to 4 p.m. Sunday, Feb. 5 at Gallant Funeral Home, 10 Elm St., Waterville. A funeral service will be held at 10 a.m. Monday, Feb. 6, at the funeral home. A graveside committal ceremony will be scheduled in the spring. In lieu of flowers, donations in memory of Joe can be made to the Somerset Humane Society, Rt. 104, 123 Middle Rd., P.O. Box 453, Skowhegan, ME 04976.