Joseph Rheal Caron

Joseph Rheal Caron, 87, of Shapleigh, Maine, passed away on the afternoon of Tuesday, November 25, 2025 in the comfort of his home surrounded by devoted love. Joseph, who all called him by Rheal, was born on August 8, 1938 in Lac Baker, New Brunswick, Canada. He was the last living of his father Sylvio Caron and mother Rose Anna Collin Caron.

Rheals’ family moved to the United States and resided in Biddeford Maine. During this timeframe, Rheal met his wife of 67 years, Aline Turcotte. After approximately 3 years of courtship, Rheal – know to be quite the business wheeler/dealer, purchased a diamond from a jewelry broker located in Boston Massachusetts and they married on May 30,1958. They became wonderful and caring parents to 3 daughters and 1 son. Denise Dubois (and husband Ron Dubois), Annette Thibeault (and husband Rene Thibeault), Georgette Durgin (and partner Glenn Kimball) and Laurent (Larry) Caron (and partner Ann Harris). Rheal’s grandchildren of 9, Michael Roux (and wife Jessica Roux), Mathew Roux (and wife Sandria Roux), Christopher Roux (and wife Heather Roux), Danielle Roux, Renee Oyster (and husband Lowell Oyster), Melissa Thibeault, Jessica Hall (and husband Michael Hall), Dr. Joseph Durgin (and wife Dr. Sara Frankl) and the last generational Caron, Shane Caron (and wife Chasity Caron). Rheal was also a great-grandfather to 18 grandchildren.

At the start of his career, he worked at Carons body shop in Biddeford Maine, alongside his brother, then leaving to work at Canton’s Chevrolet as a manager running their body shop in Sanford Maine. Rheal became a self-made business entrepreneur with a partnership of Roland and Rheal’s Motor Sales and Body Shop in Alfred Maine. Aline worked in the office alongside him. He also owned an independent insurance appraisal business and retired at age 61.

Rheal was an avid hunter and loved fishing, snowmobiling, motorcycling and scuba diving, including becoming an instructor. Rheal loved roller skating and ice skating. He traveled quite frequently with his beloved wife on all sorts of cruises to different countries so that Aline could bring back a plate.

He belonged to multiple organizations such as The Social Club, The Lafyette Club and he was a 4th degree of the Knights of Columbus. Rheal also served in the US Army and transitioned to the Army Reserves. Cribbage, black jack and pool were his favorite games and he taught his children how to play cards as well, as long as they had money to play. When he became a snowbird going back and forth from Maine to Florida he participated in a lot of shuffleboard and pool games there as well.

As Rheal aged his favorite pastime was watching all the Patriot and Red Sox games and moved permanently from Florida back to Shapleigh Maine in 2024.

A Mass of Christian Burial will be held on Saturday, May 30, 2026 at 10:00AM at St. Thérèse of Lisieux Parish, Holy Family Church on North Avenue in Sanford.