In the latest installment of the Voices of Biddeford series, a pair of siblings discuss the challenges of losing their father, growing up in poverty and overcoming the odds to achieve success.

CONTRIBUTED STORY | Biddeford Cultural & Heritage Center

Roland Poirier and his sister Lorraine Boucher share a very candid, unfiltered account of life in Biddeford when faced with the untimely death of their father after what would be routine medical care today.

As the eldest of four children, Roland went from being a kid looking up to his dad as a hero to needing to grow up fast at 8 years old.  They paint a picture of growing up in Biddeford’s mill town surrounded by poverty, limited education and complicated family dynamics. 

Both Roland and Lorainne appreciate the difficult situation their mother was faced with.

Despite countless roadblocks and expectations that “you can’t do that”, Roland’s gritty determination led to a lifelong approach of taking near impossible situations and turning them into opportunities.  Lorraine also went from a life of minimal expectations and escaping an abusive marriage to pursuing an education leading to a fulfilling career.

Through hard work and determination, both turned very humble beginnings into leadership positions. Roland, the owner of a 50+ year family business and Lorraine, vice president of human resources for our community’s hospital. See video below

The full interview and additional photos are now part of a historical community archive that is sponsored by the Biddeford Cultural & Heritage Center | Link: Poirier, Roland and Lorraine Bouchard – Biddeford Cultural and Heritage Center