Lawrence V. Veilleux

GARDINER – Lawrence V. Veilleux passed away on Oct. 31, 2025 of natural causes at the age of 89.

He was born on April 6, 1936 in St. Benoit, Quebec, Canada to Richard F. and Armandine L. Veilleux. He was the oldest of nine children. As a teenager, Larry worked with his father in lumber camps and helped build the Indian Pond Dam. The family moved from Canada to Augusta, Maine when Larry was about 21 years old and he became an American citizen in 1961.

Shortly after his arrival in Augusta, Larry was hanging out on Water Street in downtown when he noticed a beautiful young lady experiencing car trouble. He couldn’t speak English and she couldn’t speak French. Luckily, Larry had a buddy with him who could translate for them. They got the car running and Larry got the young lady’s phone number. That beautiful young lady was Lorna Gray. They soon married in 1959 and settled down in Gardiner where they raised their two sons, Cary and John.

As a young man, Larry dabbled in wrestling and was an expert water-skier. He was very proud of his unusual ability to water-ski on his bare feet. Later, he enjoyed many years as a successful bowler, both candlepin and 10-pin.

After a 25-year career with the Augusta Water District, Larry opened and operated his own business, Hyrock Garage in Gardiner, where he did small engine repairs and was a dealer for Gilson and Echo Trimmers & Chainsaws along with a Lawn-Boy franchise. Even after retiring, he continued working on small engine repairs out of his garage until he was 88 years old.

During retirement, he and Lorna enjoyed many day trips to the ocean and dining out often at local restaurants. One of his favorite routines was to arrive early enough at Dave’s Diner to hang the “Open” sign on the door before meeting up with his group of regulars for coffee and breakfast. Larry always loved the opportunity to help his sons out with their properties and vehicles. He also spent many hours both swimming and sitting out by the pool in the backyard and never missed an opportunity to discuss the care and upkeep of it with others.

Toward the end of his life, he looked forward each day to rides in the car with Lorna, and of course, stopping in at Nellie’s for coffee and muffins.

Larry woke up each day with a smile on his face and a joke on his lips. His humor and gentle teasing of those he loved will be sorely missed by all who knew him.

Larry was predeceased by his parents, Richard F. and Armandine L. Veilleux; and brothers Mario C. Veilleux and Normand G. Veilleux.

He is survived by his wife of 66 years, Lorna G. Veilleux; his sons Cary Gray-Veilleux of Gardiner and John Richard Veilleux and his wife, Jonalyn S. Veilleux of Portland; his brothers Michael S. Veilleux and his wife, Marie of Lake Alfred, Fla. and Martin L. Veilleux and his wife, Drenna of Oakland; four sisters, Priscilla D. Reid of Augusta, Jeannie N. Morin of Augusta, Ghislaine T. Nadeau of Belgrade and Docile Fortin of Sidney; along with many nieces, nephews, and cousins.

The family would like to send out special thanks and appreciation to the nurses and doctors at MaineGeneral Rehabilitation and Long Term Care at Gray Birch and MaineGeneral Alfond Center for Health who helped us laugh and take care of Larry during his final days.

In honor of Larry’s wishes, there will be no funeral or visiting hours.

Arrangements are under the care and direction of Staples Funeral Home in Gardiner.