Maurice J. Poirier, 80, of Nanaquaket Road, Tiverton, died peacefully on January 19, 2008 after an illness. He was the husband of the late Lucille (Proulx) Poirier for 45 years. Born and raised in Fall River, son of the late Frederic J. & Laurence (Levesque) Poirier, he lived in Tiverton for the past 40 years. A graduate of BMC Durfee High School, Maurice joined the Navy and served in World War II aboard the USS Montpelier seeing action in the Asiatic-Pacific and Philippine Liberation campaigns. Finishing his education on the GI Bill following the war, he earned a degree from Bryant College. In 1957 he entered his father's used car business, and later founded Poirier's, which is now a 3-generation family-owned automobile dealership (and General Motors franchise for over 40 years) located on Thirteenth St, and was a principal in the family real estate business. A member and past president of the Exchange Club, Mr. Poirier also enjoyed membership at Fall River Country Club for over 50 years, and was a former member of Citrus Hills Country Club in Hernando, FL. Survivors include: his dear friend and companion, Lucille Borges Murphy; 2 sons, Matthew Poirier & wife Melony of Little Compton, RI, and Michael Poirier & wife Beverly of Tiverton, RI; 2 daughters, Louise Ann Finan & husband Michael of Wakefield, RI, and Lisa McGreavy & husband Christopher of Tiverton; a brother, Larry F. Poirier of Somerset; 3 sisters, Clarice Flannery of Bristol, RI, Muriel Flannery of Swansea and Cecile Gardella of Milford, MA; 9 grandchildren, Tyler, Amanda & Lauren Poirier all of Little Compton, Rebecca & Nicole Poirier and Elizabeth & Madeleine McGreavy all of Tiverton, and Nicholas & Leigh Finan of Wakefield; a great granddaughter, Juliette May Poirier of Little Compton; several nieces and nephews. "Moe" was also father of the late infant Laurie Anne; and brother of the late Jeanne Parissee, formerly of Connecticut, and the late Louis Paul Poirier, formerly of Fall River, who recently passed away in July 2007. His funeral Mass was celebrated at St. Christopher Church in Tiverton. Committal service was held at Notre Dame Cemetery. Pallbearers were Mike and Neil Poirier, Mike and Nick Finan, Chris McGreavy, and Arthur Tavares.

In his memory, donations can be made to Thomas Chew Memorial Boys and Girls Club, PO Box 5155, Fall River, MA 02723.