AUGUSTA – World War II veteran, Henry Breton, 99, of Augusta, passed away on Jan. 27, 2024, at Maine General Hospital in Augusta following a brief illness.

Henry was born on Jan. 17, 1925, in Augusta, to Napoleon and Emma (Landry) Breton.

He was predeceased by his parents; his first wife, Elizabeth DuMoullin Breton; daughter, Jane Breton Auger Taylor; and his siblings Adjutor (Red), Regina, Doria (Jimmy), Lydia, Alfred and Lionel.

He is survived by his current wife, Yvette Paquet; stepson, Joseph Paquet and wife Linda; and step-grandchildren Andrew, Emily and Joshua Paquet from Scarborough; grandchildren, Maribeth Auger Schwaner and her husband John of Franklin, Tenn., Michael P. Auger and his wife Jennifer, of Winston Salem, N.C.; great-grandchildren, Dr. Alex Schwaner, Josh Schwaner, Morgan Auger and Rebecca Auger; along with several nieces and nephews.

At the age of 18, Henry joined the Army, one of four brothers from Augusta who enlisted. Henry fought for his country with distinction. He spent time on the Red Ball Highway, ferrying supplies to the front lines while driving a supply truck without lights at night. Breton landed in the second wave of boats on D-Day, 35-minutes after the first. He also served during the Battle of the Bulge in Belgium. Henry ended up toting a rifle even though his primary role was driver and courier for the Signal Corps in a detachment that laid communication lines at the front. Henry received the American Campaign Medal, European African Middle Eastern Medal, and World War II Victory Medal.

A Maine Honor Flight Ambassador, Henry was thankful to be able to travel to Normandy, France, to participate in both the 70th and 75th anniversary of D-Day where he had the honor to meet President Obama in 2014 and President Trump in 2019. While walking on Omaha Beach in 2019, he came across a newly renovated army supply truck similar to the one he drove in the war. He was joyfully hoisted into the truck and was delighted to have the opportunity to drive the vehicle one more time at the age of 89. He appreciated the wonderful friends he made from France, Belgium and across the United States during those visits and maintained those relationships throughout the remainder of his life.

Henry started working at the age of 12 and continued to work various jobs, including at the Edwards Manufacturing Co. until he entered the service in 1943. Upon his return home in 1946 he worked for a jeweler on Water Street and at Augusta Hardware until he and Liz opened Henry’s Variety on Northern Avenue which they operated from 1956 to 1962. The convenience store featured the best pizza in Augusta and in 1962 he sold the business to his brother, Lionel. He then went to work for Frank Pomerleau Furniture Co. but the entrepreneur spirit soon found him starting a basement waterproofing business and later he became a representative for a major pool table manufacturer and traveled the east coast repairing and replacing pool table coverings under the auspices of Henry Breton Enterprises. He was involved in a variety of financial investments and related activities until his passing; retirement was not in his vocabulary!

Henry loved life and could be seen dancing on any given Friday night right up until his passing. He played an active role in the Augusta community and served as president of Le Club Calumet, Augusta’s Franco-American club and was an active member of The American Legion Augusta Post 2. Henry was very supportive of veteran’s organizations and made generous financial gifts to these clubs, including the Elks Lodge #964 in Augusta. Henry was the recipient of several honors and accolades throughout out his life, including Honor Flight Maine.

A service to honor Henry is scheduled for June 6, at 10 a.m., at the Veterans Memorial Cemetery, 163 Mount Vernon Rd., Augusta.

In lieu of flowers,

donations can be made in Henry’s name to

Honor Flight Maine,

P.O. Box 699

Brunswick ME 04011-0699

or visit

honorflightmaine.org

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