Maurice J. Poirier

Maurice Joseph Poirier, 98, passed away peacefully at home to be with his lord and savior on June 5, 2025. He was born at home on February 15, 1927, to his parents Alphee and Rosalie (Cote) Poirier in Acushnet, Mass., and was the seventh of their 11 children.

Maurice attended New Bedford Vocational High School but interrupted his education to join the Navy in WWII alongside his 3 brothers, Raymond (Navy), Henry (Army), and Albert, who served as a Medic in the Army and is buried at Normandy, France. Maurice was stationed in Falmouth, England; Bremen, Germany; and Bremerhaven, Germany, before serving as a French interpreter in France.

When Maurice returned home from Europe, he completed his high school education in 1949 and was voted senior class president.  He began his career as an electrician, and in his early years, many of the homes he worked on had the daunting task of transitioning the electrical systems over from knob and tube to fully wired. His trade eventually led him to a long career at Pratt & Whitney. Maurice went to night school taking courses at Hartford University to stay on top of the growing innovation in the field of electronics, a passion that continued throughout his entire life. He served as general foreman at Pratt & Whitney for 35 years, but his passion for knowledge was limitless and he was a master of many skills over his lifetime.

Maurice raised his first son, Jay (Joseph, born in 1961), in Middlefield, Connecticut, where he poured his heart and soul into building their family home entirely by hand—a labor of love that took nine years of perseverance and dedication. He cherished every moment spent with Jay, especially their camping adventures to NH, RI, Cape Cod, Myrtle Beach and Canada, and supporting Jay’s passion for music as a talented boy soprano. As Jay grew older Maurice fostered Jay’s passion in shooting by spending countless hours at Blue Trail Range and bringing him to competitions from Maine to Pennsylvania. Jay pursued a distinguished military career with the Marine Corps, with high ranks in marksmanship and riflery. Maurice’s pride in his son’s accomplishments was boundless—a pride he carried with him always.

Maurice met the love of his life, Deane, when she walked into the laundromat he owned in Meriden called “Launder & Lounge.” He was instantly drawn to her and, after just a few visits, couldn’t resist asking her out. As Deane lovingly tells it, it only took one kiss—and she was done for. In that moment, she knew there would never be anyone else but Maurice, and they married on September 29^th,1979. At the young age of 56, Maurice was brave enough to start a family again with Deane. Maurice retired from Pratt & Whitney at the age of 60 and became a stay-at-home Dad with his children being just 2 & 5 years old. He adored raising his children into the compassionate individuals they are today and shaped their lives with neighborhood trips to the Meriden Community pool and years of wonderful memories in Vermont at their camper.

Maurice and Deane, along with a close-knit group of fellow John Barry Elementary School parents, dedicated many years of service to the PTA. Maurice played a vital role during this time—he enthusiastically ran every book fair and became a beloved figure among the children for dressing up as Clifford the Big Red Dog. As PTA treasurer, he led numerous fundraisers and organized the annual Christmas Shop, creating memorable experiences for students and families alike. A man of remarkable creativity, Maurice also designed and built elaborate parade floats for the Meriden Daffodil Festival Parade. His handiwork included the construction of a ship, a beehive, a globe, and giant pencils—displays that proudly adorned the school for years. Known for his attention to detail and commitment to excellence, Maurice devoted countless hours to perfecting each project. Perhaps most notably, in the early 1990s, Maurice was a driving force in advocating for and helping establish Meriden’s first school breakfast program—leaving a lasting impact on the health and well-being of local children.

In 1991, under the vision and leadership of Warren Stephen, a passionate group of friends and theater enthusiasts came together to form the non-profit theater group lovingly known as The Castle Craig Players—a beloved cultural fixture in Meriden and the downtown community. When the group acquired their building on West Main Street, it was a bare canvas waiting to be transformed. Maurice played a pivotal role alongside Warren, in bringing that vision to life. He built the very first stage and later constructed the expanded stage that is still in use today. A master craftsman with boundless creativity, Maurice dedicated thousands of hours to designing and building intricate sets and props. His work included innovative moveable transition walls, cleverly foldable pieces like a Murphy bed, a staircase, a jail cell, a newsstand, and many more imaginative creations that brought each production to life. His final project for the theater was the construction of beautiful and functional dressing rooms in the lower level—a space that continues to serve performers and embodies his enduring legacy.

After raising his children, Maurice began a part-time job in the tool department at Sears in the Meriden Mall, working there from age 72 to 80. He loved sharing his knowledge with shoppers—patiently answering questions, offering creative ideas, and helping people find just the right tool for their projects. Maurice was also a man of deep faith and a devoted member of his church community at First United Methodist Meriden. He served faithfully for many years as an usher and a member of the finance committee. One of his most meaningful contributions came later in life, when at 93 years old, he brought to life a vision shared by Pastor Ric Hanse—a wooden, 8-foot cross designed to hold flowers. Each Easter, that cross is lovingly used by the congregation, who place carnations within it to celebrate the resurrection. Maurice’s craftsmanship and faith live on through that tradition, a lasting symbol of his spirit and devotion.

We would be remiss if there wasn’t mention of the many organizations Maurice was part of, such as the Middlefield Lions Club, Library Board during renovation of the Levi Co Middlefield Library, Treasurer of the Wilcox Avenue Neighborhood Association (W.A.N.A), The Instrument Society and the Robotics Societies, and a long membership with the Bristol Toastmasters, where he was an award winning presenter and he shared fond memories with Deane.

Maurice is survived by his loving and devoted wife of 46 years, Elizbeth Deane (Hann), son, Joseph M. Poirier and his wife Susan of Virginia, daughter, Juliette Buccilli and her husband Michael of Wallingford, and son, Blaine Poirier and his wife Mary-Jo of Meriden. Maurice also leaves his grandchildren, Emilie Brooks of Virginia, Joseph Poirier and his partner Catherine of Virginia, Gemma and Rosalie Buccilli of Wallingford, and Daisy Joy Poirier of Meriden, and a great-grandchild, Amelia Rose Brooks of Virginia. He also leaves his dear sister, Pauline Girard of New Bedford, Mass., and a host of cousins, nieces and nephews.  Maurice was pre-deceased by an infant daughter, Andrea Joy, who was his first child with Deane, his parents, Alphee and Rosalie, and his siblings, Albert, Romeo, Raymond, Henry, Ernest, Anna, Florida, Terry, and Juliette.

Maurice’s strength in the face of adversity was rooted in love. Growing up during the Great Depression, he began working in factories at a young age, often juggling two or three jobs while attending night school. Through hardship and uncertainty, he persevered—with quiet determination, deep faith, and a belief in the power of starting over. He embodied the true meaning of hard work and integrity, always choosing to do the right thing—even when no one was watching. Maurice’s love extended into every part of his life, including his appreciation for color and its emotional impact. He believed color brought joy and energy to the world—and because of that, he never wore black. In his honor, we kindly ask those who come to pay their respects to wear something colorful, and to join us for a joyful celebration of his life at First United Methodist Church, 159 East Main St., Meriden, CT 06450 on Wednesday June 18^th, 2025 at 10:00 a.m., followed by burial at Walnut Grove Cemetery. Calling hours will be Tuesday, June 17^th from 3:00-7:00 p.m. at Beecher & Bennett-Flatow Funeral Home, 48 Cook Ave., Meriden, CT. The Poirier Family would like to express their heartfelt thanks and gratitude to Maurice’s physicians over the years, most notably Dr. Randy Luciano and Dr. Frank Giordano. The family is also grateful for the care and support received from the V.A. and Accent Home Hospice during Maurices final days. In lieu of flowers, the family asks that donations be made to the Castle Craig Players, P.O. Box 2773, Meriden, CT 06450. Online donations are available at https://castlecraigplayers.org/donate-now/.