FAIRFIELD CENTER – Philip Peter “Butch” Poissonnier, 72, of Fairfield Center, passed away on August 31 2021 at Maine General Medical Center in Augusta, surrounded by his loving family, after a long and courageous battle with acute liver failure.

Philip Peter “Butch” Poissonnier

Butch was born in Waterville to Rita and Arthur Poissonnier on Dec. 3, 1948. He was the third child of eight children. He attended St. Joseph Catholic School in Waterville until the 8th grade. He graduated from Lawrence High School in 1967. While in high school he helped to start the first hockey club. He also played baseball and participated in gymnastics.

He married the love of his life, Beverly Brooks on March 30, 1968. He worked for Scott Paper/Kimberly Clark for over 40 years. He started out as a paper tester and went on to run the paper machines. He studied and obtained a class IV license to run the WasteWater treatment plant at the mill. While the mill was in the process of closing, Butch organized many fundraisers and bean suppers for his fellow co-workers. He organized rallies and was outspoken with the local papers and news stations while the mill was in the process of closing. He then opened River’s Edge Restaurant and Catering in Madison which was a lifelong dream of his.

On Fridays he cooked for the Universalist Unitarian Church evening sandwich program. He was involved in the Elks Club in Waterville running the cribbage tournaments. He was also instrumental in starting the free Christmas dinner program. He was an excellent cook and prepared many dinners and BBQ’s at the Elks Club. He received the REM Award for Community Service, and many other recognitions from civic organizations. Butch lived a life of family and dedication to helping the community and families in need.

He was passionate about supporting his children’s athletic pursuits. He had the local Fire Department flood his back yard to build an ice rink for the kids to play hockey. He started the first Lawrence High School Boosters Club. He also started an outdoor skating rink in Fairfield for all the local kids. Much to the chagrin of his wife he mowed the backyard into a baseball diamond and kids from many towns came to play baseball. He built his own Field of Dreams and they came! He coached PAL baseball and football for many years. He was the cub scout master for the Fairfield troop. He helped with the summer youth hockey program. When his grandchildren were in Christian school he taught a class in canning pickles using his mother’s special pickle recipe. He taught his boys at a young age (and their friends) how to water ski. Nothing pleased him more than to “get someone up on skis”.

Butch was very sympathetic to people suffering with cancer and was always available to give people rides to the Alfond Cancer Center for treatment.

One of the most enjoyable and rewarding projects Butch did for the community is “Nine Days for Nine Children”. He read that a house was being renovated for a single mother with nine young children. The project manager needed people to sign up to prepare meals for the workers. Having just sold his restaurant he decided this would be a rewarding project for him and he volunteered to cook for every meal. He met the wonderful family who were the recipients of this project. He took them under his wing, taught the boys to drive, helped them get jobs, attended their weddings, and has always nurtured this relationship with the Champagne family.

His hobbies included playing Texas Hold-em, Cribbage, and being out on the water fishing. He loved to cook for large crowds, read, do the daily crossword and ride his lawn mower. He was an avid boxing fan and supported Brandon Berry.

He was preceded in death by his mother, Rita Michaud Poissonnier, father, Arthur Poissonnier; and his best friend and brother, David Poissonnier.

Butch is survived by his wife, Beverly Brooks Poissonnier; his three sons, Jason and his wife Laurie of Durham, Jeremy of Fairfield Center and Jamie and his wife Elizabeth of Norridgewock; four grandsons, Evan, Reid, Joshua, and Ethan, and an amazing granddaughter, Jamie Elizabeth; three great-grandchildren, Brianna, EmmyLou, and Brayden. Also surviving are his brothers Richard and wife Lucinda of San Antonio, Paul of Winslow, sisters Elaine Grenier of Bradenton, Fla., Elizabeth and her husband Tom Leung, Janine Stewart and Deanna “DeeDee” and her husband Kevin Pomerleau. He leaves behind his special sister-in-law, Paula “Precious” Witham and her husband Ron.

Butch was a member of the Fairfield United Methodist Church. He loved his church, his pastor and dear friend, Chong Choi. He was a long-time trustee of the church.

A memorial service will be held at 10 a.m. on Saturday, Sept. 4, located at 37 Skowhegan Rd., Fairfield. Burial will be private at a later date.

In lieu of flowers please make a donation to

Maine Children’s Home for Little Wanderers

93 Silver St.

Waterville, ME 04901

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