WINTERPORT - Lionel (Sonny) El-Hajj Sr. passed away on July 14, 2020 at home at the age of 90, surrounded by his loving family. Sonny was born April 14, 1930 and aside from his time in the service, lived his whole life in Winterport. He was the fifth child of Nesib and Louise El-Hajj and the last surviving sibling of his family.
After graduating from Winterport High School (Class of 1947), he served in the United States Air Force as a Staff Sergeant, working as a Crypto Maintenance and Repair Specialist with the 824th Operations Squadron. Following his Honorable Discharge from the Air Force, he started working in the town grocery store (Saucier's Market), owned by his father-in-law. In 1968 he opened El-Hajj's Market, which he ran for several decades before his son Dean took over the business. While running his market Sonny did everything he could for the community. As one friend put it "Before general assistance - there was Sonny".
He was a big supporter of Winterport Little League, often giving out ice cream and sodas after games. Sonny was a huge Red Sox fan and had a running (light-hearted) battle with all the Yankee fans in town.
He also cheered on the Patriots, University of Maine, Hampden Academy and Winterport teams. He was always proud to decorate a float and take part in the Winterport 4th of July parade. After retirement, Sonny could often be found rocking on his porch enjoying the warm sunshine and entertaining friends and visitors.
He enjoyed oil painting, woodworking and spending time with family.
He was predeceased by his parents and siblings, Eleanor, Emmaline, Ned, Bard, Ted, Gib, Patricia, and Don. While in the service, he married Jeannette (Jackie) Saucier, his wife of 67 years. He is survived by his wife and eight children, Lonnie, Steve, Terry and Teresa, Marty and Roe, Marie and Bob, Dean and Lynda, Lance, and Jen and Kevin. He was blessed with 14 grandchildren and 7 great-grandchildren.
The family will have a private interment at Oak Hill Cemetery in Winterport. A celebration of his life will be planned for a later date.
