Roger Beauchemin August 6, 1940 February 26, 2012 A Champion Has Died Roger Beauchemin, 71, died Sunday, February 26, 2012 at Saint Joseph's Manor in Portland, Maine. He succumbed to cancer and was surrounded by family and the compassionate staff who had come to know and love him. He was born in Clarksville, NH on August 6, 1940 to Joseph Beauchemin and Dora Rabitor Beauchemin. Roger was in the US Army Reserves 1960-1966, worked for Cessna Aircraft in Wichita, Kansas, Maine Aviation in Portland, Maine and retired after 14 years at Maine Medical Center. He especially enjoyed bicycling, keeping fit, organic food, and mastering all that was possible with his computer. Roger chose to live simply and save diligently and, in his own words, wanted to "help kids who don't know they are important and don't understand they can be someone." Roger felt a connection to abused children due to his childhood experience with domestic abuse; he fought the demons of mental illness throughout his adult life. Victoriously saving from his very modest income, Roger's philanthropy of $60,000 will establish a "Roger's Kids" perpetual, designated fund at Maine Community Foundation as well as benefit the Community Bicycle Center in Biddeford, Maine. Roger died peacefully knowing his lifetime mission was being achieved. He turned his energies that could have resulted in violence into hope that many would have a better life. Roger is pre-deceased by his parents and two siblings, George Beauchemin of Virginia and Annie Brown of Florida. He is survived by twelve siblings and their families. They include Irene Eaton-Bancroft of Kennebunk, ME, Muriel Kimball, Pauline Chambers, Earl Beauchemin and Geraldine Drown of Arundel, ME, Eugene Beauchemin of Mount Vernon, WA, JoAnn Lonergan of Portsmouth, NH, Shirley Gratton of Hampton, NH, Gerald Beauchemin of Guilford, CT, Joseph Beauchemin of Greenland, NH, Nelson Beauchemin of Columbia, NH, Florence Nash of Weeki Wachi, FL and several nieces and nephews. A memorial service in celebration of Roger's life will be held at the United Methodist Church, Main Street, West Kennebunk, Maine on Sunday, March 25, 2012, at 2:00pm. Reception follows in the fellowship hall. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to: Maine Community Foundation - Roger's Kids. The address is: Director of Philanthropic Services, Maine Community Foundation, 1 Monument Way, Ste. 200, Portland, ME 04101