Michael (Mike) John Labrecque, 49, of Bridgton, passed away peacefully at the Central Maine Medical Center in Lewiston with his loving family by his side.

Mike was born Aug. 28, 1963 in Methuen, Mass. He was the son of Ronald Labrecque and Carol (McMurrer) Labrecque. Mike was the oldest of three sons raised in West Newbury, Mass., where he attended public school, graduating from Whittier Vocational School in 1982, with a focus on carpentry.

In 1983, Mike met his best friend and soul mate, Catherine (Dean) Labrecque, who was by his side for 30 years. They started a landscape construction business, which they ran together successfully up until Mike’s untimely death. Mike married Cathy in 1987 and they celebrated 25 blissful years together just last summer. In 1992, they became Jehovah’s Witnesses, and Mike enjoyed volunteering much of his time teaching others about the wonderful truths in the Bible that had so enriched his life. His most particular enjoyment was volunteering on the New England Regional Building Committee, building quickly constructed Kingdom Halls throughout the New England area, using his skills primarily on the landscaping and excavating crews.

After winning a very tough battle with cancer in the late 1990s, Mike and Cathy moved to Bridgton, where they settled into the country. The cancer had left him with some “battle scars” in his lungs, but he was not one to sit still. So, Mike stayed busy working as best he could to provide for his growing family, tinkering with tractors and anything mechanical. He had a passion for woodworking, tending to his horses and other animals and working on his barn. Known for his big heart, sense of humor and an even bigger smile, Mike left a lasting impression on all who knew him and was an inspiration to us all. He will be deeply, deeply missed.

In addition to his wife Cathy, Mike is survived by his two beloved sons, David and Jonny; his two foster children; his father, Ronald Labrecque and wife Elizabeth of Newburyport, Mass.; his mother, Carol Labrecque of Amesbury, Mass.; his grandmother, Ruth Holozubiec of Amesbury, Mass.; and his two brothers, Kenneth Labrecque of Newbury, Mass. and Peter Labrecque of Amesbury, Mass. Mike also leaves behind seven nieces, five nephews; and many, many close friends.

A celebration of Mike’s life will be held on Saturday, Feb. 9 at 2 p.m. at the Kingdom Hall of Jehovah’s Witnesses, 100 Strout Street, South Portland. At Mike’s request, there will be no calling hours.

In lieu of flowers, donations in Mike’s memory may be made to: Worldwide Bible Educational Work of Jehovah’s Witnesses Watchtower Bible and Tract Society of New York, Inc., attention Treasurer’s Office, 25 Columbia Heights, Brooklyn, New York 11201-2483. Checks sent to the above address should be made payable to “Watchtower.”