SINCLAIR - Walter E. Fournier died unexpectedly Dec. 3, 2010, at Northern Maine Medical Center, Fort Kent, after a short fight with cancer. He was born May 23, 1926, in Portland, the son of Frederick "Fred" (1892-1960) Fournier and Marie Aime "Mamie" Boucher. Walter's formative years were spent at several schools of the valley. He attended elementary school at Sinclair Schoolhouse near the sporting club during the summers, in the fall attended St. Agatha Convent Boarding School and then St. Agatha High School conducted by the Daughter of Wisdom Sisters. At this time he was drafted into the Navy prior to graduation and served in the Philippines during World War II, 1944-1946. He continued his higher learning at Aroostook School of Commerce, Presque Isle. Walter was finally awarded his high school diploma from Wisdom High School in June 2002. Walter's extended family is local, regional and countywide. On the local level as a member of Sinclair Volunteer Fire Department, where he served as financial secretary and fire chief. He had been active for 51 years with his retirement in 1998. He assisted the county commissioners on Sinclair Advisory Committee to help with budgetary determination for the community. For many years Walter was active with St. Joseph Parish and St. Eutrope Mission Parish Council, serving on various commissions, especially building and grounds, finance and as cemetery superintendent. He was a choir member for many years, where he sang off-key and thought he was harmonizing. Fournier's extended regional family come about with 30 years with the USDA Soil Conservation Service as an engineering technician, working mostly with farmers in the St. John Valley, with a couple of years in the Caribou area. Conservation Service, he worked 15 years with Ed Pelletier and Sons Construction seasonally as an engineering technician on various projects. Walter was a life member of American Legion Cyr-Plourde Post No. 145, Frenchville, where he held the office of commander twice - recycled, chaplain, assistant chaplain and historian. He was active on Northern Aroostook Council of the American Legion as assistant to the commander and as treasurer for the northern organization. He was a card carrying life member of Veterans of Foreign Wars Lozier-O'Grady Post No. 9606, Fort Kent. Walter's extended family also includes his membership with Knights of Columbus of the Rev. Charles Sweron Council No. 7920, St. Agatha, where he had served as grand knight and the office of financial secretary. With his multitude interest in the culture of the valley, Walter was appointed to the board of directors for Maine Acadian Heritage Council, representing the Unorganized Townships of Aroostook County by the County Commissioners. At the time of his death, he was serving on the board of directors for Aroostook Area on Aging Agency and was active on the advisory board and the board of directors for Aroostook County Action Program. He is survived by his sister, Geneva Fournier of Walnut Creek, Calif.; two nephews, Michael Brailer of Sacramento, Calif., and Christopher Brailer and his wife, Joanna, and three children, Zachary, Nichola and Hanah, of Atlanta, Ga.; very special cousins, Patrick Boucher and his wife, Karen, and children, Christopher and Jacob, Barbara Deschaine her husband, Phil, and son, Brian, and Brenda Plourde her husband, Greg, and sons, Jessie and Matthew; very special friends, Gerard and Omar of New Brunswick; and his "twin," Norman B. Ouellette and his wife of Madawaska. Friends and relatives may call 6-8 p.m. Wednesday and 8:30 a.m. until the time of services Thursday at Michaud Funeral Home, St. Agatha. Services will be held 10 a.m. Thursday, Dec. 9, at St. Joseph's Catholic Church, Sinclair. Walter's last request was that any donations be made to a charity of your choice or to Edgar J. Paradis Cancer Foundation, Fort Kent, ME 04743.