SKOWHEGAN — Officials and community leaders say they were shocked by the recent, unexpected death of Skowhegan’s town manager, who authorities believe died by suicide.

The town’s five-member select board learned Friday morning of Nicholas Nadeau’s death and held an emergency meeting that evening, several town officials said. Officials were told Nadeau died Thursday evening, board member Amber Lambke said.

In a brief open letter to staff and residents Sunday afternoon announcing the death, the board called Nadeau’s death a “difficult moment” for Skowhegan.

The board hired Nadeau, of Winslow, on an interim basis in late May and to a full-time position later in 2025.

Nadeau was 32, according to the state Office of Chief Medical Examiner.

Lindsey Chasteen, spokesperson for that office, said via email Monday “it appears (Nadeau) took his own life.”

Chasteen declined to provide any further details, citing an ongoing investigation. Most medical examiner records are generally confidential, although the office does release the cause and manner of death in some cases. The office was sharing information about Nadeau’s death because he was a public official, Chasteen said.

Select board members, reached via telephone Monday, spoke highly of Nadeau.

“Nick brought a lot of positive accomplishments to the town,” Lambke said. “Very, very sad. He was certainly a talented individual.”

Ethan Liberty said the news was difficult to hear.

“He had a lot of responsibility in the town, and he was doing a great job,” Liberty said. “He’s going to be missed, for sure.”

“He was on the right track to get a lot of things done,” Vice Chair Kevin Nelson said. “I was shocked, to say the least, that he’s gone. It’s just hard to deal with.”

Board Chair Whitney Cunliffe could not be reached via telephone Monday. Board member Elijah Soll also did not return a phone call.

KEEPING THE TOWN RUNNING

The board is scheduled to meet in executive session Tuesday night to discuss next steps. An interim town manager has not yet been named.

“The Select Board remains committed to supporting Town staff and ensuring that the work of the Town continues in a steady, cooperative, and responsible manner,” the five elected officials wrote in their public letter.

Police Chief David Bucknam, who has been appointed interim town manager in the past, said for the time being, he is helping the select board with administrative functions.

“The town is coming together to continue to move forward with all the things that need to be done right now because it is a very stressful time of year, with budgeting and everything else,” said Bucknam, who added that he met with Nadeau’s parents and extended his condolences.

Somerset County Administrator Tim Curtis said county staff are ready to lend their expertise, if the town requests assistance. Curtis said he had met with Nadeau on a few occasions during his tenure in Skowhegan; Nadeau had reached out to him about a month ago to see if the county’s finance department would be able to advise the town’s finance staff. 

“It’s kind of fresh and raw right now, and we give all the support we can to the leadership and the folks at the town office,” Curtis said.

The town’s top job has turned over multiple times in recent years.

Christine Almand, who was town manager for nearly a decade, resigned in 2023. Bucknam then filled in as interim manager for months.

The select board eventually hired Dawn DiBlasi, an attorney who was Somerset County’s administrator for 10 years. DiBlasi quit after one year.

A few weeks after her resignation, Nadeau was hired in an interim capacity, initially splitting his time between Skowhegan and another interim job in Fairfax, Vermont.

Before coming to Skowhegan, Nadeau worked in municipal government in Vermont, his home state, according to various local news reports and press releases. In 2022 and 2023, he worked for about a year as Blue Hill’s town administrator, before resigning for “personal reasons,” the Bangor Daily News reported. 

Nadeau also worked for a time at a municipal auditing firm, according to the St. Albans Messenger, a weekly newspaper in Vermont. Nadeau held a doctorate in education from Liberty University.

‘A WONDERFUL PERSON’

Those who worked with him in Skowhegan remembered him as a strong leader who was involved in all aspects of town affairs.

“Nick brought passion and kindness to work everyday, making a lasting impact on me and my team,” town Parks and Recreation Director Denise LeBlanc wrote in a social media post. “It was an honor to work under his guidance as he was more than a boss, he was a mentor who truly cared about our growth. I will forever be grateful for the opportunities he gave us all.”

Kristina Cannon, president and CEO of the economic revitalization nonprofit Main Street Skowhegan, said her organization was “deeply saddened” by the news.

“Our thoughts are with his family, friends, and colleagues,” Cannon said in a statement. “Main Street Skowhegan remains committed to our ongoing partnership with the Town and to supporting the community during this time.”

State Rep. Jennifer Poirier, R-Skowhegan, said in a social media post she was “heartbroken” by Nadeau’s death. 

“He was a wonderful person to work with,” Poirier wrote. “He was always willing to ask and answer questions, no matter what day of the week or what time of day it was. He cared about fiscal responsibility and was dedicated to making Skowhegan a better place.”

State Rep. Nina Milliken, D-Blue Hill, wrote of her relationship with Nadeau when he was Blue Hill’s town administrator.

“I enjoyed meeting with him to discuss town issues, bumping into him around town and grabbing lunch, and just spending time with him,” Milliken said in the post. “He was thoughtful, community minded, and a creative problem solver.”

In Fairfax — Nadeau’s home town, where he worked on an interim basis from January to October 2025 — Town Manager Mike Bishop shared Nadeau’s death in a Friday Facebook post.

“He and his family are well known in the community, and this news is deeply felt by many,” Bishop said.

IF YOU NEED HELP 

IF YOU or someone you know is in immediate danger, dial 911.

FOR ASSISTANCE during a mental health crisis, call or text 888-568-1112. To call the Suicide and Crisis Lifeline, call 988 or chat online at 988lifeline.org.

FOR MORE SUPPORT, call the NAMI Maine Help Line at 800-464-5767 or email [email protected].

OTHER Maine resources for mental health, substance use disorder and other issues can be found by calling 211.