SCARBOROUGH - It is with deep sadness, we announce the passing of our beloved father, Carroll James Houle on June 18th, 2026, in Scarborough, Maine. Born July 21st, 1935, in Waterville, Maine, Dad was the only child of Antoinette (Laliberte) and Armand N. Houle. Educated mostly in Waterville schools, he graduated from St. John’s Prep in Danvers, Massachusetts, completed his first two years of college at the University of Maine and later transferred to SUNY in Long Island, New York to attain a degree in HVAC Engineering Technology in 1957.

Dad married his high school sweetheart, Jolene (Poulin) on July 4, 1956. Together they raised three daughters. Karen, Kathy, and Kimberly. Jolene predeceased him on March 30th, 2009.

Returning to Maine after college, he joined his father in successfully growing the family business, Houle’s Plumbing, Heating and Air Conditioning. He felt enormously privileged to work beside his father for nearly 40 years and considered work a blessing.

Dad’s Catholic faith was central to his life. He shared how he often asked his mother for a sister. His mom suggested he pray. Dad reminded us that with patience his prayers were answered, though a bit differently, when he and Jolene were blessed with three daughters.

Our family treasured summers at camp on China Lake and winters spent skiing. Monte-Sainte-Anne in Quebec was a favorite ski destination. Upon retirement, Dad and Mom enjoyed summers at their Seascape Condo on Old Orchard Beach to be closer to their growing family, which includes five grandchildren and five great-grandchildren. Ultimately four generations have gathered there for over thirty-five years. Dad continued to spend winters at their Florida home even after Mom’s death. Having taken up golf later in life, he succeeded and was honored for a hole-in-one, not once but twice at his Florida country club.

Dad was diligent about taking care of himself. In younger years, he enjoyed running, playing group tennis, meeting friends for early morning swims at the local pool, and later, biking. He missed Maine skiing while in Florida and often said he would ride his bike through his hilly Florida neighborhood doing slalom turns in the streets. He continued to ride 10 or more miles several times a week until he was in his late 80s.

Our father’s integrity was the moral compass that guided our lives. His generous heart, engaging personality, and wonderful sense of humor touched everyone who knew him. Dad served on the board of the Seascape Condo Association for over 25 years and was always there to lend a helping hand to friends and neighbors. He continued to keep his brain sharp by expanding his vocabulary in English and other languages. He enjoyed the challenge of solving problems, whether at work or play, and often said “it’s a matter of quantitative and qualitative analysis”. Dad knew how to love deeply and was infinitely loved in return. He will be profoundly missed.

In addition to our mother, Jolene, Dad was predeceased by his parents and is survived by daughters: Karen Bolduc and husband David of Davidson, North Carolina, Kathy Yantakosol and husband Pon of Cape Elizabeth, and Kimberly LaMarre and husband Anthony of Freeport; five grandchildren: Kristin Bolduc Brockman and husband Luke of Raleigh, North Carolina, Sarah Yantakosol Gayer and husband Daniel of Cape Elizabeth, Matthew Yantakosol of Manhattan, New York, Evan LaMarre and fiancée Anne Mullen of Portland, Maine, and Lily LaMarre and husband George Lucey of Santa Monica, California; and five great-grandchildren: Grace, Hope, Leif and Joy Gayer and Austin Brockman.

A celebration of dad’s life will be held Thursday, July 2nd, 2026, 11 a.m. at St. Maximillian Kolbe Church, 150 Black Point Rd., Scarborough, Maine. Interment will take place at 11 a.m. on Monday, July 6th at St. Francis Cemetery, 78 Grove St, Waterville, Maine.

Our family wishes to thank the staff at Piper Shores for their thoughtful and compassionate care of our dad. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Appendix Cancer PMP Research Foundation, American Heart Association, or the Alzheimer’s Association.