David Lebel (pictured in the Sun Journal in 2008) with his pool cue collection. File photo

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 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.”

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 it closed following the October 25 massacre in which ten customers were killed.

At this point, Kathy Lebel was the company’s figurehead; her “kind, gentle and loving partner” was no longer well.

She said she was lucky to have spent “37 wonderful years” with him 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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