Thomas A. Michaud

Thomas Armand Michaud Sr. of Northfield ME died at home on Bog Lake Friday September 1st. 2023. He was born in Rumford ME on October 28th. 1945 to Armand Gerald and Florence Ida (Meisner) Michaud of Andover. Tom was the the eldest of five children and grew up very close to his maternal grandparents who owned a small dairy farm.

In 1964 Tom graduated from Andover High School. After a brief stint at the Oxford Paper Mill in Rumford he enlisted in the US Marine Corps in 1965. Tom went on to serve nineteen months over two tours of duty in Vietnam as a rifleman in 1st. Battalion, 9th. Marines. Known as the “Walking Dead” the battalion suffered extraordinarily high casualty rates and Tom would later recall losing half his company. Sergeant Michaud was awarded two Purple Hearts and a Bronze Star and returned stateside in 1968. He went on to graduate recruiter school and served the rest of his five year hitch as a marine recruiter in Washington County before his discharge in 1970.

Tom enlisted in the Maine State Police later in 1970, graduating from the 27th. training troop as trooper #736. He was assigned to Troop F out of the academy, based in Patten and serving Aroostook county. Promoted to corporal in 1978 and then sergeant in 1984 he transferred to Troop J based in East Machias serving Washington and Hancock counties.

In 1978 Tom was awarded a citation for bravery when he secured the release of a hostage held at gunpoint in Machias. A second award followed in 1982 when he apprehended a man who had fired shots at a fellow trooper.

In 1980 the State Police selected twelve troopers to form a tactical team. Tom was chosen as one of the original members and later went on to become commanding officer of both the tactical team and the bomb squad. He attended the FBI anti-sniper school in addition to tactical training with the Army National Guard.

Promoted to lieutenant in 1988, Tom returned to Troop F as commanding officer. He finally transferred back to Washington County as commanding officer of Troop J. Lieutenant Michaud also served as a cadre member for the 29th., 30th., and 39th. training troops at the Police Academy. He retired in 1995 after 25 years of service.

Later in 1995 Tom was granted a lobster license and began fishing out of Bucks Harbor, learning the ropes in a small boat. He eventually built a 34’ Wayne Beal, named her Semper Fi and spent the next 26 years hauling lobsters every summer. Tom was always grateful to friends in the fishing community who helped him get started.

Machias Savings Bank elected Tom to the board of corporators in 1992 and he served on the board of directors from 1995-2018. He was also a member of the American Legion, the VFW and a lifetime member of the DAV.

On the exterior Tom was tough and sometimes hard but those of us who knew him realized he had a big heart. He was intensely proud of being a marine and known as a trooper’s trooper. Above all he loved the state of Maine and especially the woods, rivers, streams and lakes of Washington County. He was a keen hunter, trapper and fisherman and made many trips to Alaska and Anticosti island over the years.

Tom was predeceased by both parents, a brother Peter Michaud and brother-in-law Robert Bolduc.

Tom is survived by his wife Elaine (Headley) and companions Margaret (Maggie) and Matilda (Tillie), son Tom Jr. and wife Amanda (Dunn) of Northfield, son Jesse and partner Caley Quinn of Carmel, stepdaughter Jessica Headley of Sarasota and stepson Luke Headley of Los Angeles, two granddaughters Laela Harrington and Lily Michaud, grandson Colby Kitteridge, brother Tim Michaud and wife Leann of New Hartford CT, sister Victoria Bolduc of Skowhegan ME, sister Leigh Ganung and husband Jeff of Winsted CT, niece Megan Gendreau and nephews Tim (Andy) Michaud Jr. and Robert Bolduc Jr.

Heartfelt thanks to the nursing staff at CHCS for going above and beyond and to Brian Mays.

According to Tom’s wishes there will be a graveside interment of his ashes with military honors at the Acadia National Cemetery in Jonesboro, ME on Friday October 20th. 2023 at 11:00 am. To be followed by a gathering at the American Legion Post 9 in Machias from 12:00 noon onwards. All are welcome.

Semper Fidelis

Semper Aequus