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Oliva "OJ" Bussiere

Date of Death: September 3, 2017

Date of Birth: December 11, 1929

Biography:

Oliva Laurent Bussiere “OJ” of Lewiston, Maine, passed away on September 3, 2017 surrounded by loved ones after a long illness that took his life but not his love for living. He was fun, a jokester, and had a zest for enjoying the moment.

OJ was born on December 11, 1929, to Oliva J. and Yvonne (Berube) Bussiere in Lewiston. His life included seeing the world as he spent 22 years in the Navy. He eventually came back to the Lewiston area to raise his family.

His Navy experience included both the Korean and Vietnam wars and was proud of his service to his country. Once back in Lewiston, OJ worked as a boiler operator at Pineland Hospital, construction laborer, and ran his own “OJ’s Dogs” hot dog stand. Many knew him as the Hot Dog man.

 As a life member of the VFW and American Legion, he was very supportive of veterans and current members of the military. Other hobbies included being an avid hunter, storyteller, garage sales explorer, and taking flying lessons. For fun, he loved to dance! He would swing dance to music from the 50’s and 60’s.

OJ is survived by his loving wife Lorraine “Patty” Grant Bussiere, sister Connie Bouchles and husband Charles (Arizonia), daughters Debra Decker and her husband Chris (Turner), Kelly Johnson and her husband Eric (Readfield), and son Richard (Lewiston); grandchildren Owen, Corey, Travis, Courtney, Michelle and Cheryl as well as many nieces, nephews and great-grandchildren. He was predeceased by both of his parents, Oliva and Yvonne Bussiere, step-son Earl Tibbets, and sisters Germaine Gilbert and Doris Donnell.

We want to thank the wonderful staff at Woodlands Memory Care and Dr. Kenneth Brodsky as well as Dr. Reilly and nurse Andrea at St. Mary’s Emergency. The compassion and care they showed for OJ and all our family was so much appreciated.  

A celebration of life will be held at 10:00 am, with a Memorial Service beginning at 10:30am on Thursday, September 7, 2017 at Funeral Alternatives, 25 Tampa Street, Lewiston, Maine. A graveside committal service with military honors will immediately follow at Mt. Auburn Cemetery on Summer St. Auburn.

In lieu of flowers, the family would appreciate donations in OJ’s memory to the Alzheimer's Association, Maine Chapter, 383 US Route One, Suite 2C, Scarborough, Maine 04074, 207.772.0115 or at https://tinyurl.com/yasfugq2. Your gift in OJ’s memory will make a difference in the lives of people living with Alzheimer's disease and support research to improve treatment, care and prevention.