Rollins “Rusty” Arsenault

SKOWHEGAN – It is with deep sorrow that we announce our father, Rollins “Rusty” Arsenault, 100, passed away on Sept. 26, 2023, after a brief stay at the Togus VA Medical Center in Augusta. The family appreciates the excellent care provided by the doctors, nurses, and staff.

Dad was born on Oct. 20, 1922, in West Peru, Maine, to Melinda and Andrew Arsenault. The family moved to Skowhegan when Rusty was a young boy. He was one of nine children: six sons and three daughters. He left school in the seventh grade to work on farms to help support the family.

Twenty-one days after Pearl Harbor, at the age of 19, he entered the Army and was assigned to his beloved 90th Infantry Division. He was severely wounded on D-Day. After recovering in England, he made his way back to his outfit by traveling on supply trains. He was later captured by the Germans while fighting in France.

After returning from the war, he married Nathalie Johnson on Dec. 27, 1945. Together they raised three children in the home they built in Skowhegan where he lived until his passing. He worked at several jobs, but his favorite was delivering fuel oil to logging camps up north and was always sure to bring his fishing pole along.

Dad was always on the go, making the most of each day. He was a founding member of the Skowhegan Sportsman Club and a dedicated member as well as director of the Arnold Expedition Historical Society. He snowmobiled in the 60’s and 70’s and loved to go fishing, especially with his favorite nephew Dale Arsenault. In later years he did day hiking mostly with his buddies of the “Over the Hill Gang”, Ron Gamage and Steve Sanders. Together they logged over a thousand miles hiking statewide including up and down many mountains, one of which was Mt. Katardin and crossing its hair-raising Knife Edge while in his 70’s.

He was an avid fan of the Red Sox, Boston Bruins, Patriots, and the Notre Dame Fighting Irish. He was a socially inquisitive person who loved to meet and talk with others any chance he got. As a result, no matter where you were while with him you were likely to hear someone ask, “Hey Rusty is that you?” Mom and Dad loved to go camping and RVing. It didn’t matter if it was the next town over or all the way to Alaska.

His greatest loves were his faith and his family. He was a communicant of Notre Dame de Lourdes church in Skowhegan. Attending family events including birthdays of his many children, grandchildren, great grandchildren and most recently great-great grandson, Brooks Gagne. A family get together was a celebration to look forward to.

He was predeceased by his parents Melinda and Andrew Arsenault, wife of 70 years Nathalie, sisters; Betty Wescott, Sue Daigle, and Olive Estes, brothers; his twin Robert, Andrew, Agnew, Wilfred, Francis, as well as daughter-in-law Deborah Arnsenault.

Dad is survived by his children; Keith Arsenault of Woolwich, Coralee and husband Rodney Whittemore of Skowhegan, Francis and wife Pamelia Arsenault of Skowhegan, grandchildren; Jason and wife Paula Whittemore of Cornville, Jeremy and wife Kristin of Benton, Chad and wife Shelley of Skowhegan, great grandchildren; Ashley Whittemore of Fairfield, Kylie Whittemore of Charleston SC, Chelsey and husband Zachary Gagne of Waterville, Chase and wife Allison Whittemore of Skowhegan, Emily Whittemore of Benton, Alyse and husband Cole Clement of Waterville, Chance Whittemore and fiancé Camryn Hurley of Skowhegan, Malia Whittemore of Waterville, great-great grandson Brooks Gagne of Waterville, sister-in-law Lorraine Arsenault, as well as many nieces and nephews.

A Funeral Mass will be held on Friday, Oct. 13, 2023, at 10 a.m., at Notre Dame de Lourdes Church, 273 Water Street, Skowhegan.

Celebration of Life on Oct. 13, 2023, at 11:30 a.m., at Rod and Coralee’s home, 516 Waterville Road, Skowhegan.

Interment Service will be held on Wednesday, October 25, at 2 p.m., at Maine Veterans’ Cemetery, 143 Blue Star Ave, Augusta.

The family invites you to visit Rusty’s memorial page at https://dsfuneral.com/obituaries/rollins-joseph-arsenault to share condolences, photos, and special memories.

Rollins “Rusty” Arsenault