Obituary for Gerald J. Paradis
Bar Harbor
Gerald J. Paradis, 83, died at Birch Bay Village, Bar Harbor on March 27, 2021. He was born March 10, 1938 in Frenchville, Maine, the son of Sylvio and Roselle (Michaud) Paradis.
Gerry graduated from Wisdom High School in St. Agatha, ME in the class of 1955. Following graduation, he attended East Coast Aero Tech in Bedford, MA and later worked for Sikorski Aircraft as a helicopter mechanic. In 1959 he left Sikorski to attend Gorham State Teacher’s College. He graduated in 1963 to become an industrial arts teacher. On December 26th of that same year, Gerry married Gaetane Albert of Edmundston, NB.
The newly married couple moved to Martha’s Vineyard, MA where Gerry had landed a job as the Industrial Arts department head of the new Martha’s Vineyard Regional High School. They started their family on the island with both their children, Paul and Michele, being born there. Wanting their children to know their grandparents, they left the Vineyard in 1968 to move back to Frenchville, ME where Gerry was hired as the head of the Industrial Arts Department at Wisdom High School.
Gerry always dreamed of having a family business so in early 1972 the Paradis family moved to Bar Harbor to open a Western Auto Store. They later converted the store to Paradis True Value Hardware in the early 80’s. Gerry was very proud of the business and worked hard for many years to ensure its success. The business continues to thrive today as Paradis Ace Hardware - still owned and operated by the Paradis family.
Civic involvement was also very important to Gerry. He served on the Bar Harbor Warrant Committee for many years in the 1970’s as well as president of the Bar Harbor Chamber of Commerce in the early 1980’s. Later, he served on the Hancock County/Bar Harbor Airport Advisory Commission - many years as its Chairman.
Gerry’s hobbies included skiing and his love of everything aviation. He was an instrument rated private pilot and loved the adventure of flying the Cessna 172 he shared with his son. Most important to Gerry was his family - nothing brought a smile to his face more than being around family.
Gerry is survived by his beloved wife of 57 years, Gae; their son Paul Paradis and wife Beth of Bar Harbor; their daughter Michele Houghton and husband Rick of Berkley, MA; four grandchildren, Hannah Paradis of Bar Harbor, and Nick, Matthew, and Erica Houghton of Berkley, MA; one sister, Cleo Ouellette and her husband Paul of Frenchville, ME; one brother, Eldon Paradis and his wife Anne of Madawaska, ME; and many nieces and nephews. He was predeceased by his oldest sister Sylvia Guys and his older brother Bert Paradis.
A Mass of Christian Burial will be held 10am, Wed. March 31, 2021 at Holy Redeemer Catholic Church, 21 Ledgelawn Ave., Bar Harbor with Father Emile Dube as Celebrant. Spring interment will be at Ledgelawn Cemetery, Bar Harbor. We will be using the Covid-19 church regulations for these services including masking and social distancing.
Those who desire may make contributions in Gerry’s memory to the charity of ones choice.
Arrangements by Jordan-Fernald, 1139 Main Street, Mt. Desert. Condolences may be expressed at www.jordanfernald.com
Gerald J. Paradis, 83, died at Birch Bay Village, Bar Harbor on March 27, 2021. He was born March 10, 1938 in Frenchville, Maine, the son of Sylvio and Roselle (Michaud) Paradis.
Gerry graduated from Wisdom High School in St. Agatha, ME in the class of 1955. Following graduation, he attended East Coast Aero Tech in Bedford, MA and later worked for Sikorski Aircraft as a helicopter mechanic. In 1959 he left Sikorski to attend Gorham State Teacher’s College. He graduated in 1963 to become an industrial arts teacher. On December 26th of that same year, Gerry married Gaetane Albert of Edmundston, NB.
The newly married couple moved to Martha’s Vineyard, MA where Gerry had landed a job as the Industrial Arts department head of the new Martha’s Vineyard Regional High School. They started their family on the island with both their children, Paul and Michele, being born there. Wanting their children to know their grandparents, they left the Vineyard in 1968 to move back to Frenchville, ME where Gerry was hired as the head of the Industrial Arts Department at Wisdom High School.
Gerry always dreamed of having a family business so in early 1972 the Paradis family moved to Bar Harbor to open a Western Auto Store. They later converted the store to Paradis True Value Hardware in the early 80’s. Gerry was very proud of the business and worked hard for many years to ensure its success. The business continues to thrive today as Paradis Ace Hardware - still owned and operated by the Paradis family.
Civic involvement was also very important to Gerry. He served on the Bar Harbor Warrant Committee for many years in the 1970’s as well as president of the Bar Harbor Chamber of Commerce in the early 1980’s. Later, he served on the Hancock County/Bar Harbor Airport Advisory Commission - many years as its Chairman.
Gerry’s hobbies included skiing and his love of everything aviation. He was an instrument rated private pilot and loved the adventure of flying the Cessna 172 he shared with his son. Most important to Gerry was his family - nothing brought a smile to his face more than being around family.
Gerry is survived by his beloved wife of 57 years, Gae; their son Paul Paradis and wife Beth of Bar Harbor; their daughter Michele Houghton and husband Rick of Berkley, MA; four grandchildren, Hannah Paradis of Bar Harbor, and Nick, Matthew, and Erica Houghton of Berkley, MA; one sister, Cleo Ouellette and her husband Paul of Frenchville, ME; one brother, Eldon Paradis and his wife Anne of Madawaska, ME; and many nieces and nephews. He was predeceased by his oldest sister Sylvia Guys and his older brother Bert Paradis.
A Mass of Christian Burial will be held 10am, Wed. March 31, 2021 at Holy Redeemer Catholic Church, 21 Ledgelawn Ave., Bar Harbor with Father Emile Dube as Celebrant. Spring interment will be at Ledgelawn Cemetery, Bar Harbor. We will be using the Covid-19 church regulations for these services including masking and social distancing.
Those who desire may make contributions in Gerry’s memory to the charity of ones choice.
Arrangements by Jordan-Fernald, 1139 Main Street, Mt. Desert. Condolences may be expressed at www.jordanfernald.com