David Lebel, co-owner of Schemengee’s Bar & Grill on Lincoln Street in Lewiston, is pictured with his pool cue collection in 2008. Sun Journal File

LEWISTON – Anyone who has played pool in Lewiston over the past few decades knew David Lebel, the easy-going, hard-working co-owner of Schemenees Bar & Grille.

This week, most of them are mourning his death.

Kathy Lebel announced on Facebook that her 57-year-old husband died on Tuesday, leaving her and her son Tyler heartbroken.

“While I could express our deep sadness, I feel it is more important to celebrate how truly remarkable Dave was,” she wrote.

“He embraced life and people with an open heart. He made friends easily; once you met Dave, you couldn’t help but feel the warmth of his kind soul,” she said. “I don’t think there is anyone who met him and didn’t feel a connection with him. His genuine kindness extended to everyone he met.”

Rina Thibeault, his sister-in-law, said: “No matter where you saw Dave, he always had a smile on his face. You couldn’t have met a better guy – friendly to everyone and never having anything bad to say.”

His brother, Tim Lebel, said Wednesday that the three Lebel boys grew up near Bates College and were “typical Lewiston kids” who sledding on Mount David and playing a lot of hockey.

Since David Lebel was the youngest of the trio, Tim Lebel said, they put him against a wall and had him try to block their shots. He became so good at it that the young man eventually became a goalie for local teams.

David Lebel was “the quiet guy” in every group, his brother said, but he made friends easily.

Lebel found his calling as a chef and met his wife Kathy, who turned out to be a great partner.

The Lebels bought Schemengees more than a quarter of a century ago because, as they once said, they both loved billiards so much.

“We wanted a place where people could come together and play pool or darts or just come in and enjoy the amazing home-cooked food in a great atmosphere that would be fun for them, their friends and their family,” they said a decade ago.

In late 2007, they moved the restaurant to the Lincoln Street location, where it thrived until its closure following the October 25, 2023 mass murder in which ten patrons were killed.

At the time, Kathy Lebel was the company’s flagship, and her “kind, gentle and loving partner” was no longer well. David Lebel had been battling Parkinson’s disease for at least 15 years, his brother said, and it had gotten worse in recent years. It’s not clear if that was the cause of death.

The couple have “built some really strong companies,” said Tim Lebel, a testament to their courage and skill.

Kathy Lebel said she was fortunate to have spent “37 wonderful years” with her husband and “created a life full of love.”

“I could never have asked for a better man by my side,” Lebel wrote.

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