Camp Verde, AZ, Arizona - Clarence Antoine Ayotte died on August 26, 2025, in a motor vehicle accident in Camp Verde, Arizona. Clarence was born in St. Agatha, Maine, on February 25, 1949. Clarence was the son of Lawrence Ayotte and Irene Albert.

Clarence, was the seventh child of Lawrence and Irene, and was the first son. He was very welcomed in a house full of girls, who adored him from the outset. Clarence spent his first year of high school at St. Louis Prep school in Edmundston, New Brunswick. After this first year, he returned to complete his high school education at Wisdom High School in St. Agatha. It is here that he met his future wife, Helen Collin. Helen was very attractive and full of life. She had a great sense of humor. Clarence was smitten and he and Helen were married in June 1969.

After high school, Clarence continued his education at NMVTI in Presque Isle, Maine, which he attended for two years studying automotive mechanics. Following Clarence and Helen's marriage, Clarence left for basic training with the National Guards. Clarence served in the National Guards from July 1969 to August 1991 in Fort Kent. He retired as a staff sergeant from the Maine National Guard.

Clarence spent several years working as an auto mechanic for Etscovitz Chevrolet in Fort Kent and Madawaska. In later years, Clarence went to work at Fraser Paper Mill in Madawaska as a Millwright. Clarence spent most of his work time initially at Frasers doing maintenance and repairing anything related to paper machines. Prior to retirement, Clarence worked in the shop at the mill repairing trucks, forklifts, whatever needed repair.

Clarence had an incredible work ethic. He provided well for his family and was always willing to help anyone in need of assistance. He is described as a kind, gentle and loving man. A man of conviction, of faith, integrity.

He and Helen worked as volunteer EMT's on the Ambulance service in St. Agatha for several years. He supported and encouraged Helen's wanting to further her college education by getting her master's degree in Education and French. Helen invested a lot of time and effort in this pursuit. It involved a great deal of travel to Presque Isle, ME. (Remote learning was not available at that time).

Clarence and Helen had a great love of travel, from accompanying high school students on field trips to Europe or traveling on their own to visit family and friends across the United States and Canada. Their preferred method of traveling was by motorcycle. They each had their own motorcycles and communicated with each other on the road by walkie-talkie (there were no cell phones back then). They would recount many adventures they had on these road trips. But every destination seemed to involve their favorite people, particularly his son, Keith and daughter-in-law, Kelly, who had moved to Camp Verde, Arizona. Another favorite stop was in southern Maine visiting their son, Randy. Shortly after retirement, Clarence and Helen moved to Arizona to be close to their son, Keith and Kelly, and their two grandsons, Joshua and Logan.

Clarence is survived by two sons, Keith (Kelly) Ayotte from Camp Verde, AZ, and Randy Ayotte from Gorham, ME; two grandsons, Joshua and Logan Ayotte from Camp Verde, AZ; his siblings, Therese and Doris of Bangor, ME, Sr. Jacqueline of St. Agatha, ME, Judy Paradis of Frenchville, ME, Mary Anne LeBlanc of Princeton, MA, John (Clara) Ayotte of Hampden, ME, and Lawrence Patrick (Theresa) Ayotte of Brewer, ME. Clarence is also survived by several nieces and nephews, Dwayne (Mary Ann) Mckinley of Montreal, QC, Canada, Dale McKinley of New Waterford, NS, Canada, Danielle LeBlanc of Asburnham, MA, Elyse (Joe) LeBlanc Gerakines, of Westminster, MA, Benjamin (Jimilee) Ayotte (Danae, Duncan, Sorcha, Sullivan) from Stettler, AB, Canada, Jesse St. Jean from Los Angeles, CA, and Nicole (Victoria) Ayotte, Claremont, California; sisters-in-law, Alice (George) Carpenter of Frenchville, Claire Morin of Frenchville, and Natalie Collin; brother-in-law, Thomas (Pauline) Collin; nieces and nephew, Bertha, Cindy, Elena, Alexandra, Julie, Melissa, George, Jacob, and Luke. Clarence was predeceased by his parents, Lawrence Ayotte and Irene Albert Ayotte; his wife of 54 years (2023), Helen Collin; his sisters, Lorraine McKinley Sr. and Joan Ayotte; brothers-in-law, Paul LeBlanc, Rosaire Paradis, Barry McKinley, Joseph Jr., Charles Collin, and Jean Morin; and sister-in-law, Pauline Collin.

Clarence's burial will be held on August 17, 2026, at 12 p.m. at Northern Maine Veteran's Memorial Cemetery, 37 Lombard Rd., Caribou, Maine.