On September 23, 2022, Corey Steven Theriault passed away unexpectedly. Corey was 29 years old.
Corey was born in Rumford, ME, on February 14, 1993. He was the second child, and first son, to Rebecca Collette and Shawn Theriault.
Corey was raised in the Rumford area until the third grade, when he moved to eastern Maine. For his ninth grade year, Corey returned to Rumford and attended Mountain Valley High School, where he began building lifelong friendships, a chosen family, and establishing himself as the soul and the caretaker of his friend group. When Corey broke his leg during the first week of football practice in the ninth grade, he decided to focus on participating in the school band instead. This helped set him on a path of lifelong musicianship.
Music was a powerful part of Corey's life. He always had an acoustic guitar within reach for singing with friends and around campfires. Corey often travelled to southern Maine and beyond to accompany his father's bands at gigs and public events. In 2018, Corey joined the local band "Aunt Hannah."
When Corey was 20 years old, he met the love of his life, Dawnasia "Dawnie" Theriault (Pelkey). They married at Silver Lake Campground and Lodge in August, 2015, surrounded by their friends and family. In March, 2022, they welcomed their first and only daughter, Dakota River Lynn Theriault.
In February 2020, Corey was a partner in opening "T&T Head Shop" on Congress Street in Rumford. Corey was, at heart, an entrepreneur and a steadfast supporter of small businesses in the community. Corey operated the cotton candy stand "King Kandy" at community events like "Concerts at the Park"; He participated in "Envision Rumford" meetings; He ran "Honest T Handyman," a small business where folks could hire a knowledgeable, professional handyman for their home repairs and odd jobs; He volunteered annually for the "Pumpkin Fest"; He sponsored the Larry Labonte Recovery Center through his "T&T" business at the annual golf tournament; and he made many charitable donations through his "T&T" business. Corey made it his mission to advertise and advocate for other small businesses, charities, and local functions through the "T&T" shop and on his social media.
Corey was a loving father, husband, brother, son, and to so many of his friends a mentor and guiding light. Corey had the biggest heart, endless kindness, and a generous spirit. He was fiercely loyal to his friends and family, and many can attest to the fact that he would give them the shirt off his back if they needed it. He was always ready with a hug and a listening ear. He lovingly referred to his friend group as "Clan T." If any member of his "Clan" needed a place to stay, a pair of helping hands for a home project, or a job opportunity, he was the first to offer. Corey wasn't ever shy about saying "I love you" to his family and friends, and was known to shout "SAY IT BACK!" if necessary. Corey made an impression on everyone he met with his honest but witty sense of humor.
The following quote is from a piece of advice that Corey gave to his cousin, Ollie Chase, and perfectly illustrates Corey's view of the world and how he hopes we will all live our lives:
"Stay the course and keep being you, that way you can continue to teach people that it’s okay to be your actual self, even if it makes a couple people uncomfortable along the way. Hell, ESPECIALLY when it makes a couple people uncomfortable. That discomfort can open up a conversation. Through conversation, we can find growth, and new perspective!"
At the end of his life, Corey was still giving. As a proud organ donor, he successfully helped save the lives of four people he had never met. As his mother said, "It's such a 'Corey' thing to do, to take a miracle that was meant for himself, and turn it into multiple miracles for others."
Corey was preceded in death by his younger brother, Dakota "Dax" Hoff. He is survived by his wife Dawnasia Theriault; his daughter, Dakota River Lynn Theriault; his mother, Rebecca Collette; his father, Shawn Theriault; his two sisters, Amber Theriault Sinclair and Sophie Theriault; his grandparents, Robert Collette, Jim "Chief" Theriault, and Mary Ellen Louvat Theriault; and numerous aunts, uncles, cousins, nephews, nieces, and friends.
A Celebration of Life will be held at 49 Franklin St, Rumford on October 28, 2022, at 2:00pm for immediate and extended family, and at 3:00 pm for friends and community members. In lieu of flowers, we invite everyone to bring a gift card to support Corey's family, wife and baby, and a framed photo of themselves with or of Corey to help us build an amazing display of his life.
"Be there for each other for the hard times equally as much as you’re there for each other during the good ones. Sometimes, it makes those tough times just a little easier to stomach, if you have your people by your side." -Corey Steven Theriault