James Romeo MAHEU

WATERVILLE -- James Romeo Maheu lost his life long battle to Cystic Fibrosis on Wednesday, Nov. 23, 2005, in the arms of his wife surrounded by his family. Jim knew at a young age CF would take his life. While he did not get to pick his illness, he did pick the journey, and enjoyed the moments and embraced the time.He graduated from Waterville High School and attended trade school in Cherry Hill, N.J., becoming a professional driver -- one of America's last true cowboys. When he was not driving his truck, he worked summers at Maheu's Kawasaki, being sure to get his riding time in. Jim met his wife, Marcia Hamblet Maheu, June 15, 1979, and they married Feb. 15, 1980. Together they loved, laughed, traveled and fought his disease.Jim traveled the country and beyond by truck, motorcycle, car, train and cruise ship. He had the soul of a gypsy. He was forced to retire in January, 1999. Jim and Marcia had a few years to play before his disease began to mandate his life, something he reluctantly complied to. His last few years he enjoyed spending time with his dogs, friends, family and the Friday night Prime Rib group.Jim was a helpful friend to many. Volunteering to haul trailers of food for food kitchens, driving big truck in parades, participating in medical research for CF drug trials, a spokesman and fundraiser for "Great Strides -- A walk to cure Cystic Fibrosis." In May 2005, Jim received the Heroes of Hope Award in recognition designed to honor people with cystic fibrosis who give hope to others. Jim was chosen from a nationwide pool of candidates for his ability to inspire others with CF through his positive attitude, commitment to proactively manage his health, determination, community outreach, and achievement. Jim was predeceased by his parents, Barbara Merrill and Joseph Romeo Maheu; grandmother Cora Maheu; grandparents Owen and Vi Shepherd; brother Frank Maheu; nephew, Elijah Howe and niece Barbara St. Pierre.Along with his wife, he is survived by brothers Thomas and Linda Elsemore, Richard Shepherd and Ann Dionne, Gary and Cathy St. Pierre, and sister-in-law Debbie Maheu; mother-in-law Marcia Doherty; sister-in-law Jackie and Peter Berlandi; brother-in-law Michael Hamblet and Carol Wentworth; sister-in-law Roylynn Hamblet and Penelope Wilson; sister-in-law Gayle and Kenneth Roy; many nieces, nephews, great-nieces, great-nephews; Godchildren Amanda Hamilton, Holly Hamilton, and Cameron Mitchell; many cherished friends and his devoted dogs, Grace and the Rock Dog.In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in his name to the Cystic Fibrosis Foundation, 6931 Arlington Road, Bethesda, MD 20814, or the Arbor House at Central Maine Medical Center, 300 Main St., Lewiston, ME 04240. We ask all who loved Jim to donate blood regularly, become an organ donor and measure your life in love.Family and friends will gather for visitation from 1 to 3 p.m. on Saturday, Dec. 3, at Veilleux Funeral Home, 8 Elm St., Waterville. A funeral service to celebrate Jim's life will be held at 3 p.m. at the funeral home.