Paul T. LaPierre

HOLDEN — Paul Trott LaPierre, 81, passed away peacefully Sunday, Oct. 21, 2018, at a local hospital with his family by his side.

Affectionately known as PoPo, he was born Oct. 15, 1937, at the Maine Eye and Ear Infirmary in Portland, Maine, the first child of Alfred William LaPierre and Catherine Grindel Davis LaPierre.

He was educated in Portland schools, Kindergarten thru second grade in public schools, grades three through eight in St. Joseph’s Parochial School, then Cheverus High School, where he captained the baseball team and graduated from in 1955. In 1958 he entered the Bath Iron Works apprentice program and graduated as a ship’s carpenter and joiner in 1965. He was a U.S. Army veteran and used his G.I. educational benefits to earn a Bachelor’s of Science degree in 1971, and a Master’s of Science degree in Geology in 1977 from the University of Maine at Orono.

Throughout his career as an exploration geologist he worked the coal mines of Eastern Pennsylvania, the glacial deposits of New England and the deserts off the Horn of Africa, drilling for water in Somalia. He ran the office and drilling crews of Superior Mining Company in Portage, Maine, supervising all the delineation and economic drilling on the Bald Mountain zinc-copper deposit northwest of Ashland.

From May through Nov. 1986, Paul worked in Northwest Somalia with an all-native drill crew, test drilling at preselected locations believed to contain large amounts of ground water. Paul had an English-fluent Somali as his interpreter, cook, driver and all-around errand man. He often regaled his family with stories of his immersion into the Somali culture. Being a master outdoorsman, experienced gained “pounding rocks” throughout the Northeastern United States, he valued and appreciated the desert skills of his Somali companions.

Following his career as a geologist he entered the business world with his beloved brother Tommy, building and operating Tommy’s Northshore Tavern and Tommy’s Variety in Naples, Maine for a number of years. The “job” he loved the most however, was helping to raise his grandson Evan for the past 18 years. No two kindred spirits could have been more perfectly matched. It was a gift for both of them. Paul was a prognosticator and loved expounding on current events, baseball, especially his beloved Yankees, the wonders of the physical world and the exciting research and discoveries concerning the outer limits of the universe. Many friends and family members over the years were beneficiaries of his keen mind and intellect as he mentored and assisted whenever asked, with advanced math and science courses enabling these fortunate ones to earn Bachelor’s of Science and advanced degrees.

Paul loved his friends and family unconditionally, having special nicknames for all he held dear.  He was truly a gift to all who knew him. Paul was also a fine writer, penning many missives to his family through the years and also authoring two fictional novels, The Woofaboomus – A Tale of the Woods and Cinderville. At the time of his death he had just completed a work of personal limericks to be published at a later date.

Paul was predeceased by his parents, Alfred William LaPierre and Catherine Grindel Davis LaPierre. He is survived by his brother Thomas M. LaPierre of Raymond; children Lisa A. LaPierre-Lee and spouse Jon E. Lee of Holden, Robyn L. Hodges of Portland, Jay K. Burt and spouse Vanessa A. Burt of Brownfield; and the mother of his children and love of his life, Sharon L. Parker of Westbrook. Words cannot express the love Paul had for his grandchildren and great-grandchild, Abbey L. Mattuchio, spouse Adam and son Greyson of North Reading Mass., Lauren M. Hodges of Brooklyn, N.Y., Grace E. Hodges of Salem, Mass., Evan P. Lee of Holden, Martha M. Burt of Brownfield; as well as many brothers- and sisters-in-law, nieces and nephews.

Anyone who was a friend of Paul’s knew it was for life, and he had many. We would like to express our deepest appreciation and love to Tommy and Sue Lynch of Bangor, and Pat and Anita Findlen of Clifton, for their faithfulness to our father over the years and memories we all share. A special thank you to Marilyn Michaud, dad’s Family Nurse Practitioner for the wonderful care she provided throughout his illness and her many visits during his last few weeks.

Paul had many charitable interests, the American Legion being his favorite. Any contributions may be made in Paul’s memory to a charity of your choice or to the American Legion #155, 26 Casco Road, Naples, ME 04055.

In keeping with Paul’s wishes, there will be no services. A gathering to celebrate his life will be held in the spring at a time and place to be announced at a later date. Arrangements trusted to Kiley & Foley Funeral Service, Bangor and Brewer, and messages and memories may be shared with his family at kileyandfoley.com