Michael Steven Asselin

After a period of failing health, Michael Steven Asselin passed away on January 13, 2020, in Rochester, NH. Michael was born on October 24,1951, in Lewiston, ME, the middle child of five siblings. He attended school nearby at Edward Little High School in Auburn, and along with his older brother Peter, developed an interest in the music and performers of the times. Chief among them: The Beatles. He grew up in a family of vast musical talent, became an accomplished drummer, and played in many bands over his life. Behind his drum set, Michael and his band mates-at times including his sister Luisa; a beautiful singer-entertained many a crowd at Springbrook Country Club in Leeds, ME. It was here that he first met Cindy Snow, whom he married in 1979. Michael and Cindy had two sons: Christopher, born in 1982, and Benjamin, born in 1986. Michael's work life started early, at the original Sam's Italian Foods on Main St. in Lewiston. In the days when the line for an Italian sandwich stretched around the block, Michael excelled at this fast-paced work. He went on to work for his parents, Dolor and Francesca, at Mario's Restaurant (now Mia Lina's), in Winthrop, ME. He was commonly known as "Mikey Mario", both in and outside of the pizza shop. Michael was a fantastic cook, stalwart worker, and talented restaurant entrepreneur, whose experimental and enterprising nature found him opening several restaurants throughout Maine and New Hampshire. He eventually moved his family to North Conway, NH, where he ran Mario's Restaurant on Rt. 16. He was a fixture of the restaurant scene in town, having also worked for many years in the kitchen at Hooligan's Food & Drink. It would be difficult to say if Michael was most content in a kitchen or on his drum throne, but he had yet another passion, and that was as a maker. He was largely self-taught, learning from his favorite do-it-yourself TV shows: This Old House and The New Yankee Workshop. Michael could often be seen proudly sporting a t-shirt which read, "He Who Dies With The Most Tools Wins." He would ultimately turn his interest in building and woodworking into a new business venture, which he dubbed "Embarking Designs". Here Michael worked as a self-employed cabinet maker and finish carpenter, eventually segueing these skills into becoming a property owner, to include a large grange hall overlooking farmland in Fryeburg, ME. The scale of this cavernous building was rivaled only by the magnitude of the beautiful dreams he had for it, to renovate it nail-by-nail into his home, a performing arts venue, and an event space. Michael's talent, curiosity, creativity, and wonderful capacity for invention were an inspiration, especially to his two sons. His son Christopher would acquire his Dad's drum set, along with his Dad's love and aptitude for music, and become an exceptional drummer and multi-instrumentalist himself. And his son Benjamin inherited his Dad's imagination and handiness, and is now a working artist and art teacher. Michael was most proud of his two sons, and loved them with all his heart. He was a warm and loving father, as his sons will attest. Michael was predeceased by his father, Dolor Asselin, and mother, Francesca Esposito Asselin, as well as two sisters, Luisa Asselin and Lina Asselin. He leaves his eldest son, Christopher Asselin (Rochester, NH) and his wife Michelle (Blue) Asselin, and his youngest son, Benjamin Asselin (Portland, ME) and his partner Nickola Cole. He is survived by his older brother Peter Asselin (North Conway, NH), and his younger sister Anna Asselin Filak (Denver, CO). He also leaves seven grandchildren: Calven O'Connor (Pittsfield, NH), Jordan Friedly (Dover, NH) and Payton Friedly, Mathew Asselin, Jaxon Asselin, and twins Parker and Christopher Asselin (all of Rochester, NH). A celebration of life for family and friends will be held in the Spring. Details to be announced in the near future.