Richard R. Lussier (1925–2015) was a longtime Lisbon resident and was known locally as “Dick of Lewis Auto Sales.” His obituary identified him as a well-known and respected automobile dealer whose career in the automobile business spanned approximately seventy years, although it did not provide his residence address.¹ The Maine Department of Environmental Protection lists “Lewis Auto Sales” at 8 Lisbon Road, Lisbon, and separately lists “Lewis Auto Sales Saab” at 42 Lisbon Street, Lisbon, confirming two locations associated with the dealership’s history.² A 2011 article discussing Lussier’s effort to change the terminology used for automobile retailers from “used car dealer” to “preowned car dealer” identified him as the owner of Lewis Auto Sales in Lisbon, while also emphasizing his belief in the professionalism and customer service provided by independent automobile dealers.³ The article, however, does not provide a residential address for Lussier.³

Footnotes

1. “Richard R. Lussier Obituary,” Sun Journal, July 2015.

2. Maine Department of Environmental Protection, Brownfields Remediation Site List, listing “Lewis Auto Sales” at 8 Lisbon Road, Lisbon, Maine, and “Lewis Auto Sales Saab” at 42 Lisbon Street, Lisbon, Maine.

3. “Used-Car Dealer Plates Get Name Change,” Bangor Daily News, April 25, 2011.

Bibliography

Bangor Daily News. “Used-Car Dealer Plates Get Name Change.” April 25, 2011.

Maine Department of Environmental Protection. Brownfields Remediation Site List. Augusta: Maine Department of Environmental Protection.

Sun Journal. “Richard R. Lussier Obituary.” July 2015.

Richard R. Lussier (1925–2015) played an important role in the commercial history of Lisbon, Maine, through his long association with Lewis Auto Sales. Known locally as “Dick of Lewis Auto Sales,” Lussier represented the tradition of the independent automobile dealer who built a successful business through personal relationships, customer trust, and knowledge of the automobile market. His approximately seventy-year career reflected the importance of locally owned dealerships in small communities, where businesses often became recognized landmarks and important parts of everyday life.

Lewis Auto Sales evolved through multiple locations and phases of operation, including its listing at 8 Lisbon Road and its later association with Lewis Auto Sales Saab at 42 Lisbon Street. Under Lussier’s leadership, the dealership developed a reputation for providing reliable automobiles and personalized service. His advocacy in 2011 for the term “preowned” rather than “used” automobile dealer demonstrated his commitment to presenting independent dealerships as professional businesses built on quality and customer service.

The history of Richard Lussier and Lewis Auto Sales illustrates the lasting impact of locally owned businesses in Lisbon. Although the automobile industry changed significantly during his lifetime, Lussier maintained a connection with generations of customers and contributed to the commercial identity of the community. The legacy of Lewis Auto Sales represents an era when independent dealers were not only places of business but also trusted community institutions that reflected the character and values of small-town Maine.