TOPSHAM – Reno Deschaine, 87, formerly of Belgrade, passed away peacefully surrounded by family in Topsham on Thursday, Nov. 2, 2023.

Reno was born on Oct. 19, 1936, in Fort Kent, one of ten children of Emile and Edwina (LeBlanc) Deschaine. He graduated from Fort Kent High School in 1955, attended Fort Kent State Normal School (now the University of Maine at Fort Kent), and received his bachelor’s and master’s degrees from the University of Maine at Orono.

In 1955, Reno and Ann met in Fort Kent while working together, and were married in 1958.

Reno taught 6th grade at Milo Elementary School in Milo from 1958 until 1964. In 1964, Reno and Ann moved to Belgrade, where Reno taught various grades and then became principal of Belgrade Central School until his retirement in 1991.

Reno was a member of the Knights of Columbus, and a parishioner and eucharistic minister at St. Theresa’s Church in Oakland and St. Helena’s Mission in Belgrade Lakes during the summers; he was a parishioner at Notre Dame du Perpetual Secours Church in Waterville after St. Theresa’s closure. Reno was a longtime member of the MEA/Kennebec Retired Educators Association. He was a member of the Waterville Country Club, and enjoyed golf, square dancing, bridge, cribbage, bowling, and stamp collecting. He and Ann enjoyed spending winters at Betmar Acres in Zephyrhills, Fla. for many years.

Reno was predeceased by his parents; his daughter Cheryl; his brother Reginald DeChaine and wife Carol Ann, his sisters Yvette, Jeannette Bourgoin, Bernadette Libby and husband Donald, Leonette Gendreau and husband Roland, Florence Pelletier, and Cecile Paradis, and brother-in-law Russell Staples.

Reno is survived by his wife of 65 years, Anabel (Pelletier) Deschaine; three children, son Paul and his wife Micheline, daughters Claire Leonard and her husband Thomas, and Donna Zagoreos and her husband William; five grandchildren, Sarah (Deschaine) Bergman and husband Paul, Mathieu Deschaine and wife Anne, Sierra (Leonard) Aube and husband Robert, Bryan Leonard, and Alyssa Zagoreos; great-grandson, Theodore Deschaine; brother Nelson Deschaines and wife Kathy; sister Doris Staples, and brothers-in-law Richard Bourgoin, Roydon Paradis, and Clarence Pelletier; as well as many nieces, nephews, grand nieces and nephews, and friends.

Visitation will be held on Monday, Nov. 13, from 2 – 4 p.m. and 6 – 8 p.m. at Gallant Funeral Home, 10 Elm Street, Waterville. A mass of Christian burial will be celebrated on Tuesday, Nov. 14, at 10 a.m. at Notre Dame Catholic Church, 116 Silver Street, Waterville. A burial will follow at Pine Grove Cemetery in Belgrade.

The family would like to thank the staff at The Highlands in Topsham and CHANS Home Health and Hospice.

An online guestbook can be signed, condolences and memories shared at http://www.gallantfh.com.

In lieu of flowers,

donations may be made in Reno’s name to:

the Michael J. Fox Foundation for

Parkinson’s Research

P.O. Box 5014

Hagerstown, MD 21741

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