Millinocket-Ronald E. Budreau, 87, passed away peacefully surrounded by his loving family on November 19, 2016 at a Millinocket health care facility. He was born January 8, 1929 in Millinocket to Edward and Katherine (McQuarrie) Budreau. Shorty, as he was affectionately known by family and friends, was a graduate of Stearns High School, Class of 1946. He enlisted in the U.S. Marine Corp in January of 1945 and in 1953 was called to duty for the Korean War and transferred to the U.S. Army to serve in Germany. In 1960, he transferred to the Maine National Guard where he served for 10 years until he was transferred to the Active Army Reserve. He retired in 1984 after 26 years of service with the rank of Sargent. He was very proud of his service to our country. In 1950, Shorty married his high school sweetheart, Donna Given. They made their home in Millinocket, where Shorty went to work for Great Northern Paper Company as a scaler. He worked for GNP until his retirement in 1984. After retirement, Donna and Shorty obtained their real estate licenses and worked together for many years. Shorty was an avid outdoorsman and enjoyed hunting, fishing and foraging in the Maine woods. He knew all the secret spots to find moose or deer, catch fish and pick blueberries and fiddleheads. He loved to share these outings with his daughters, son-in-laws and grandchildren. The memories made on these outings will be forever cherished. His family and friends have many wonderful stories of time spent at his camps including Millinocket Lake, Caucomgomoc Lake, and the Sandy Stream area. Shorty obtained his private pilot’s license so he could fly his plane to some of his favorite fishing spots. In later years when unable to fly, he appreciated the wonderful friendships he formed at the local airport. Shorty loved animals and will be greatly missed by his cat Willow. Shorty was well known in his community for involvement in various organizations. He was a past exalted ruler of the Millinocket Elks Lodge No. 1521, B.P.O.E , the Fin and Feather Club, VFW, and Donald V. Henry Post No. 80 of the American Legion. He also served as a volunteer for the Millinocket Fire Department, and then later volunteered his time deliver meals for the Meals for Me program. Shorty will be greatly missed by his devoted wife of 66 years, Donna, and two daughters, Jan and Mike Martin of Patten, and Julie and Drew Nason of Westerly, RI; five grandchildren that he loved to spoil, Alaina and Will Daisey of Millinocket, Mark Martin and Corinne LaBella of McCall, ID, Katie and Adam Zadrozny of Farmington, CT, Janessa and Nathan Leger of Durham, and Michelle Martin and Nalbert Tero of Springvale; six special great-grandchildren, Tommy, Travis and Zoey Zadrozny; Lincoln and Libby Daisey; and Lainey Leger; two brothers, Frank and Delphine Budreau, and Lawrence and Barbara Budreau; sister-in-law Elizabeth Budreau; a special cousin, Lynn Hall; and many dear nieces, nephews, cousins and lifelong friends. In addition to his parents, Shorty was predeceased by one brother, Daniel Budreau, and two sisters, Dorothy Proctor and Ann Hughes; brother-in-law Thomas Hughes; and grandson Matthew Martin. The family would like to thank the staff at Millinocket Regional Hospital and Katahdin Healthcare for the compassion and supportive care they provided to Shorty and his family. A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated 11 A.M. Saturday, November 26 at Christ the Divine Mercy Parish, St. Martin of Tours Catholic Church, 19 Colby Street, Millinocket with Father Bruce Siket presiding. Interment will be immediately following at Millinocket Cemetery. Gifts in Shorty’s memory may be sent to the Katahdin Area Support Group, P.O. Box 374, Millinocket, ME 04462, or the Friends of Millinocket Memorial Library, 5 Maine Ave., Millinocket, ME 04462. Messages of condolence may be expressed at www.lamsonfh.com.