THOMASTON — Louis C. "Lou" Caron, 87, died peacefully surrounded by his loving family on Tuesday, December 9, 2025, at the Sussman House in Rockport following a long and courageous battle with Alzheimer's and Cancer.

Born July 25, 1938, in Boston, Massachusetts, he was the son of Louis H. and Gloria Matthews Caron. At the age of 7, Lou moved with his mother to Waldoboro, where he attended Lincoln County schools, and excelled in track and baseball. Lou was also a Boy Scout under the leadership of professional baseball player Clyde Sukeforth. Clyde became a mentor to Lou and gave him a catcher’s mitt that had been his. Recently Lou gave the mitt to the Mid Coast Sports Hall of Fame in Waldoboro. Lou always held many jobs from a teenager on, working in nearby restaurants and doing odd jobs for the local elderly in Newcastle.

After his family moved to Rockland he held several jobs, including positions with Crie's Hardware, Thomaston Hardware, and J.C. Robinson. He later went to work at Bath Iron Works, beginning as a clerk in the “store” where he supplied other workers with the equipment they needed to do their job. Later, a welding class opened up which he signed up for, knowing if he didn’t pass he would be out of a job. Upon passing the class, he became a first-class welder. After 23 years of service, he retired due to health reasons.

As a young man, Lou met his one true love, Sandra Richards, of Thomaston. They met at the Thomaston 4th of July Carnival, she was with a friend as was he. Lou’s friend wanted to take Sandra’s friend, they knew each other, on the Ferris Wheel. Not wanting to leave Sandra alone, the friend convinced Lou to take Sandra on the Ferris Wheel also. As Sandra would later say “they had been going round and round ever since”. Married on September 23, 1961, Lou and Sandra enjoyed 64 wonderful years together.

Lou was a true family man who loved spending time with his four children, racing them down the snowy hill in their backyard, horseing around with the older kids in the lake, and taking countless camping trips as they made their way to Vermont to visit with their 7 cousins. He was known for his ice skating ability around Rockland as a teen. He loved trekking through the woods to find the perfect Christmas tree. In his younger days he enjoyed deer hunting and he usually bagged one. Carving the Halloween Jack-O-Lantern was a group effort requiring the kids to design the pumpkin, then HE cut it out. That ended when they were old enough to cut out their own and Lou got to have his own pumpkin. His family remarked that he was often more of a kid than they were. With his larger-than-life personality and the frame to match, he was truly their hero.

Always active, Lou had many hobbies. He dabbled with CB radios for many years, he loved a good lawn sale (especially the haggling) and was a talented wood carver, creating many animal statues and walking sticks. He was an active member of his community, a member of the local fire department, volunteering with the local dog park, and working on the food line at the Thomaston 4th of July Chicken Barbeque. Even prior to his marriage he was helping set up Camp Wampamee, the local Girl Scout Day Camp that Sandra’s mother (later to be Mother-in-law) was the director of.

After the death of his son Jeffrey, he and Sandra spent several years “Flocking” residents' yards with 50 pink flamingos to raise money for scholarships in his son's memory. At the age of 80 he started participating in a country music jam where he loved playing guitar and singing. People often sat in awe as his rich, strong voice, reminiscent of Elvis, filled the room. A few years ago Lou was “the voice of God” explaining the Lord’s Prayer to a few members of the congregation in a skit to replace Sunday sermon.

Together with Sandra, Lou enjoyed rock hounding in Oxford County where they had a Timeshare. He loved digging in the old quarries, searching for gems and crystals. He also went rocking in Herkimer New York searching for “Herkimer” diamonds. After his retirement they traveled to Pennsylvania, Memphis, Nashville, and Florida, where their son, Jeff had settled.

A gentle giant who loved babies and animals, Lou and the family always had a house full of pets. His constant companion for the past twelve years was Casey, a Black Mouth Cur rescued from Pope Animal Shelter. Lou had a great sense of humor and loved a good joke. He will be sadly missed by all who loved him.

Predeceased by his parents; a beloved son, Dr. Jeffrey Caron in 2011; and a sister, Valada Anderson; Lou is survived by his wife, Sandra Caron of Thomaston; his son Christopher Caron and his partner Carolyn Roney of Warren; his daughters, Michelle Caron of Northport, Heather Van Buskirk and her husband Scott of South Thomaston; his sister Cynthia Simmons Ducale and her husband Gary of Bradenton, Florida; several nieces and nephews including a special nephew, Don Genthner and his wife Brenda of Rockland; four grandchildren, Chad Winslow and Kari; Tyler Grant of Northport; twins, Olivia Van Buskirk and Grace Van Buskirk of South Thomaston; three great-grandchildren, Kael Aaron Winslow, Brody Louis Grant, Kaylie Green; as well as a large loving extended family on his wife’s side which became his own family.

Family and friends are invited to visit from 3:00 to 5:00 p.m., Friday, December 19, 2025 at Burpee, Carpenter & Hutchins Funeral Home, 110 Limerock Street, Rockland.

A celebration of his life will be held Saturday, December 20, 2025, at 11 a.m., at the Thomaston Federated Church, 8 Hyler Street, Thomaston.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Thomaston Dog Park Association, P.O. Box 342, Thomaston, ME 04861.

To share a memory or condolence with the Caron family, please visit their Book of Memories at www.bchfh.com.