Arthur James Jodoin

Arthur James Jodoin
January 21, 1938 – January 11, 2026
Arthur James Jodoin was born on January 21, 1938, and lived a life defined by curiosity,
generosity, quiet strength, and deep devotion to family.
Arthur was the proud son of parents who never had the opportunity to finish high school. He
carried deep respect for their values and work ethic throughout his life. Though he once
expected to follow his father into the electrical trade, Arthur went on to become a textile
engineer, developing deep expertise managing woolen mills and, just as importantly, helping
others build the confidence and capability to run them well. He took pride in thoughtful, careful
work but never defined himself by professional success. Humility, usefulness, and integrity
mattered far more to him than titles or recognition.
At just 21 years old, Arthur married the love of his life, Dolores “Mimi,” on her birthday, February
27, 1960. Together they raised four daughters—Michelle (Pete), Susan (Tom), Karen (Betsy),
and Denise (Mike)—and built a life rooted in partnership, laughter, openness, and care for one
another. Arthur and Mimi shared a playful spirit and a genuine interest in the world around them,
often the first on the dance floor, eager to try new foods, unfold a map, and see what might
come next.
Arthur was the original “girl dad,” deeply proud of his four daughters and fully supportive of their
interests, ambitions, and careers. He was an early and enthusiastic women’s basketball fan,
spending countless hours cheering on his daughter and granddaughter, and proudly wearing his
“Everyone Watches Women’s Sports” t-shirt as he followed the WNBA. He took great pride in
the caring, adventurous partners his daughters chose and in the close, connected family they
built together.
Arthur and Mimi shared a love of travel and exploration that continued throughout their lives.
Arthur eventually traveled extensively around the world, including more than 25 trips with
Overseas Adventure Travel—from the Amazon River to Machu Picchu and the Galápagos, from
Vietnam and Cambodia to South Africa and India. Travel was never about checking boxes; he
remembered every detail and delighted in learning from each place.
When Mimi became ill, Arthur cared for her with extraordinary devotion for seven years,
managing her complex needs with precision, patience, and love. Though their shared travels
were cut short, Arthur met that chapter of life with quiet acceptance and grace, choosing
gratitude over bitterness.
As his family grew, Arthur followed the lives of his ten grandchildren with genuine
interest—celebrating their successes, steadying them through challenges, and holding deep
confidence in their ability to navigate life thoughtfully and build good, meaningful lives. He was
equally delighted by the arrival of his two great-grandchildren and cherished time spent with
them.

Arthur remained deeply curious and engaged throughout his life. A lifelong learner with a
remarkable memory, he loved understanding how things worked and embraced new technology
with ease. He was renowned for tackling the hardest Sudoku puzzles—starting them over
breakfast, working on them throughout the day, and never going to bed until they were finished.
Even in the waiting room of the emergency room, Arthur could be found pencil in hand, keeping
his mind sharp and active.
He approached physical fitness with the same discipline and intention. Arthur went to the gym
Monday through Friday, treating it like a job, and kept that routine even during summers in
Maine. He faced aging with determination, believing in caring for both mind and body as a way
of staying engaged with life.
Arthur also loved to eat. He took joy in good food, never wasted a thing, and lived his frugality
with appreciation rather than restraint. He never met an ice cream he didn’t love and happily
passed along his fondness for Cheez-Its to the next generations.
During the COVID years, Arthur and his four daughters began a weekly ritual that became
deeply meaningful to all of them: a standing Sunday night Zoom call at 7:00 p.m. What began
as a way to stay connected during the pandemic became a lasting tradition—a time to catch up,
check in, share stories, and laugh together. Those calls reflected and deepened the already
close bond between Arthur and his daughters, and the particularly tight-knit relationship he
shared with “the sisters.” The ritual continued until Arthur’s death and reflected what mattered
most to him: family, connection, and showing up consistently for the people he loved.
In retirement, Arthur gave his time and care to the community he called home. He volunteered
with Highland Cemetery, located across the street from the home he and Mimi built together in
Poland, Maine. There, he tended the grounds, worked to preserve the live oaks, and
meticulously painted the cemetery meeting house—often after carefully laying out clapboards
and supplies in his barn. He approached these tasks with the same patience and pride that
defined all his work.
Two trips in his later years held special meaning. For his 85th birthday, Arthur thoughtfully
planned and took his daughters on a trip to Morocco. Most recently, just two months before his
death, he traveled for three weeks to Malta and Sicily with his son-in-law Mike, continuing his
lifelong curiosity and love of seeing the world.
Arthur will be remembered for his humility, kindness, nonjudgmental spirit, and steady presence.
He listened more than he spoke, accepted people as they were, and lived with quiet purpose
and generosity.
Arthur will be laid to rest at Highland Cemetery in Portland, Maine, beside his beloved Mimi,
following a small, private burial with family only.
Arthur is survived by his four daughters and their partners: Michelle LaFond and her husband
Peter, and their children Elyse LaFond and husband Ross Fletcher; Emily LaFond and Michael
LaFond; Susan Lawler and her husband Tom, and their children Kia Nord; Erik Nord and his

wife Candace Kane; Kyle Nord and his wife Jada Nord and their son Oliver; Denise Gaidis and
her husband Mike, and their children Erin Gaidis and her husband Gordon Christian and their
daughter Ruby; Alex Gaidis and his wife Megan Brief; and Karen Jodoin and her wife Betsy
Dinger, and their children Matthew Jodoin-Siegel; Jack Jodoin-Siegel; and Ryan Dinger.

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