Paul Henry Vaillancourt of New Ipswich NH and Broadview Assisted Living in Winchendon, MA departed from this earthly world on July 1, 2023, at the age of 85. Paul was a beloved father, brother, uncle and friend to many. Born and raised in Greenville NH, Paul was one of 11 children of Yvonne and Amedee Vaillancourt. He was predeceased by his parents and his beloved wife Dorothy Ann Vaillancourt (Howard) of 54 years and their son Kenneth, as well as three sisters, Vivian Alton, Marie Bouley, Alena Alix, and five brothers, Roger, Ronald, Leonard, Raymond and Jean. He is survived by his two sisters Denise Comeau and Rachel Martin, his children Julienne (Robert), William (Marie), Paul (Jennifer), Yvonne (David), and Andrew (Sarah), and his five grandchildren, Bailey Vaillancourt, James Pfaff, William Pfaff, and Mackenzie and Logan Vaillancourt, and numerous nieces and nephews and their children.
Paul retired from Warwick Mills, New Ipswich NH, a historic textile mill in New Ipswich, NH where he was the weave room Technician. Paul worked from 1965 to 1994 as the plant superintendent at Pioneer Plastics, Greenville NH and set up many sites around New England. He had decades of machine shop experience and blow molding design. In retirement and long before he was known for “repairing just about anything” for family and friends, and would often fabricate parts in his home garage machine shop except in March when he would tap his maple trees to make maple syrup to share with family and friends.
Paul was proud of his years of military service starting in 1957 in the New Hampshire Army National Guard (ARNGUS) and his active duty time with the US Army at Fort Bragg, 2D Howitzer Battalion 172nd Artillery when he was a Staff Sergeant activated during the Cuban Missile Crisis. He was proud to tell others that he was one of “President John F. Kennedy’s Minute Men”.
Paul completed electronics studies at the Monadnock Community College in Peterborough NH in 1962. He was a master electrician and experienced tradesman.
Paul attended high school at College St. Joseph, a Jesuit boarding school, in Berthierville, Quebec Province, Canada in 1954 and 1955 where he was the president of his class and enjoyed skiing, skating, hockey, football, track and tennis. Throughout his life Paul celebrated his French Canadian heritage and language. He loved to visit relatives in Quebec and travel in general, embracing different cultures and costumes including his wife’s Polish and British relatives.
Paul was a Boy Scout and when a young adult, a Boy Scout leader and kept a life-long love of the outdoors by actively hunting, fishing, gardening, chopping wood, riding horses and keeping a backyard farm. He also loved to dance! When younger, he and Dorothy captivated others with their intricate footwork, twirling and fancy moves on the dance floor!
Paul loved to sing and had a beautiful tenor voice that would bring tears to the eyes of many at Midnight Mass when he sang traditional French carols and the Ave Maria. At Sacred Heart Church, he was a member of the choir for decades, volunteered for the Saint Vincent de Paul Society, in the 1970s served on the Parish Council, including being president for some time, and was an ecumenical minister. Paul was a past member of the Greenville Lions club, the Knights of Columbus, and sang with the Barnstormers, a traveling volunteer male chorus, at concerts when held locally in Southern New Hampshire. Paul’s charismatic personality and welcoming nature is known to many, making him a natural teacher especially on the ski slopes.
Paul was truly a special person who touched the hearts of many with his charm, sensitive and jovial nature, wit and smile. He was not afraid to shed tears of sadness and compassion or to sing with gusto and joy. He was loved by many and will be missed terribly. Salut Papa! A bientot!
Visiting hours are Tuesday July 11th, from 5 to 7 PM at Michaud Funeral Home Wilton NH. A funeral Mass will be held on Wednesday July 12th at 11AM at Sacred Heart Parish in Greenville NH to be followed by a ceremony at Sacred Heart Cemetery, New Ipswich NH.
Many thanks to the staff at Dartmouth Hitchcock Hospital and Bear Mountain in Worcester for their care and compassion and to the staff of Broadview Assisted living. They took great care of him and he loved the staff.
Flowers may be sent to Michaud Funeral Home, 32 Maple Street Wilton NH 03086. Donations in memory of Paul H. Vaillancourt may be made to the St. Vincent de Paul-Sacred Heart Food Pantry-Greenville (15 High Street, Greenville, NH 03048 Phone (603) 878-0518 or to New Hampshire Fish and Game (https://www.wildlife.state.nh.us/funding/donate.html ).
