Carleton Paul Stevens

Carleton Paul Stevens (Paul to just about everyone who knew him more than 5 minutes), passed away peacefully in his sleep in the early hours of March 10, 2025 at the home he shared with Jane, his wife of 70 years.

Born on December 26, 1936, Paul was the beloved son of Melvin Earl “Bing” Stevens and Maude Pearl Merrill Stevens Shapleigh. Paul grew up in Middleton NH and graduated from Spaulding High School in Rochester NH.

Along the way, he met the love of his life, Jane Shaw, at a grange hall dance, the beginning of a lifelong love for dancing. Paul was so smitten that he followed Jane home that night, much to her (and her mother’s) surprise! But Paul’s sweet demeanor and beautiful, wavy blonde locks won her over. They quickly became a couple and married on January 21, 1955.

After a brief stay in Middleton and then Rochester, they settled in Sanford, Maine where Paul built their first house. Paul entered the Apprenticeship Program at the Portsmouth Naval Shipyard in 1955, and worked there for the next 35 years. In the early 70s they moved to York to be closer to the Shipyard, where they lived until Paul’s retirement. After retiring they spent some years in Laurys Station PA; Farmington NH; and Dothan AL, before returning to Springvale.

Paul was happiest when spending time with his family, beating everyone at a card game, and especially dancing with Jane. He loved westerns, being outdoors, and hunting. But above all, he was a devoted husband. A loving family man, Paul is remembered by his children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren as the first to offer an unselfish hand, play any outdoor sport, or provide a comforting hug. An eternal optimist, Paul could always be counted on for a word of encouragement or an uplifting smile. When asked how he was doing, his answer was always the same: a smile and the words, “Better than most!”

Paul was a man who cherished his wife and loved his family. As a young man, and for much of his life, Paul enjoyed deer hunting and looked forward to the season each year. The family spent many years together enjoying family dinners and playing cards every week. With just about everyone, Paul was known for his easy-going demeanor and quick wit, who never went anywhere without a book in his pocket. After his retirement Paul and Jane spent several summers with all of their grandchildren at their home in Laurys Station. The grandkids still talk of their trips to Dorney Park and the fun they all had, and some can still be heard singing Doris Day in the car to this day. Paul and Jane were also beautiful to watch on the dance floor as excellent ballroom dancers. An avid card player, Paul enjoyed playing whist every week (and sometimes bridge) at the Trafton Center. Paul was also a man of faith, attending St Therese of Lisieux for many years, and achieving the title of 4th Degree Sir with the Knights of Columbus.

Although Paul enjoyed traveling to Europe, Venezuela and many states in our country, his favorite place to be was by Jane’s side, wherever that happened to be.

Paul was predeceased by his parents and his grandson, David Patch. He is survived by his wife, Jane; his sisters, Charlotte Lessard and Shirley O’Neil of Farmington NH; his children, Craig (Ellen) Stevens of New Orleans LA, Laurice (Bill) Dunning of Allentown PA, Risa (Jeff)
Grace of Springvale, and Dorrie (Mark) McClintock of Barrington NH; his grandchildren, Thomas (Brittney) Scovens of Louisiana, Ben (Natasha) Dunning of Pennsylvania, Clara (Jeff) Cracknell of Springvale, Erin (Brent) Sarazin of Louisiana, Chandler (Christie) Grace of Texas, Chelsea Byrd of Beulaville, NC and Adam (Hira) Stevens of Louisiana; and great-grandchildren and many nieces and nephews.

A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated at St Therese of Lisieux Church in Sanford on Friday, April 25th, at 11:00 AM with a reception following at the Springvale Social Club.