Paul Robert Desrochers

Scarborough – Paul Robert Desrochers, 87, passed away peacefully at his home on December 23, 2025, surrounded by his family, after a brief and courageous battle with vascular dementia. A devoted husband, father and grandfather, Paul will be remembered for his humor, generosity, and unwavering love for family and friends.

Born July 10, 1938 in Biddeford, Paul was the fourth child of the late Albert Sr. and Violet (Vachon) Desrochers and was raised in Saco. A graduate of Thornton Academy, he proudly served in the U.S. Navy from 1959 to 1963, with tours of duty in Texas, Hawaii, Japan, and the Philippines. During his service he played saxophone in the Navy Band—an experience he recalled fondly throughout his life.

In May 1964, following a blind date arranged by his best friend, Paul married Gladys (MacDonald) Desrochers at Chestnut Street United Methodist Church in Portland, beginning a marriage that would span more than six decades.

Following his military service, Paul worked at Emery-Waterhouse and later enjoyed a 30-year career with New England Telephone Company, where he was valued for his skill and reliability. Outside of work, Paul’s hands were rarely idle. He was an avid woodworker, fisherman, hunter, and golfer. He was also a master gardener who took great pleasure in canning and sharing his harvest with friends, neighbors, and the local food pantry.

As a father, Paul took great pride in his daughters and grandchildren, ensuring each had encouragement and support to pursue an education. He was also deeply proud of his sons-in-law and enjoyed introducing them to Maine life through fishing trips, woodworking projects, and clambakes shared with visiting friends over the years. His home was warm and welcoming to all, and he will be remembered for his dry sense of humor, boundless energy, storytelling, and ability to fix just about anything.

Deeply involved in his community and forever a musician at heart, during the mid-1980s Paul volunteered with the pit band for the Oak Hill Players and with the Scarborough High School jazz band. For many years, he also served as treasurer of the Ocean View Harbor Homeowners Association.

Paul was predeceased by his siblings and their spouses, Eva Edwards (Edwin), Albert Desrochers Jr. (Ruth) and Joseph Desrochers Sr. (Jean); his brother-in-law, Duncan MacDonald Jr.; his niece, Debra Desrochers; and his nephews, Lee Desrochers and Joseph Desrochers Jr.

He is survived by his wife of 61 years; his daughters, Paula Desrochers-Yakout (Osama Yakout) and Donna Desrochers (Jeff Walker); and his grandchildren, Sarah, Adam and Zackariya Yakout, and Ethan and Lindsay Walker. He is also survived by his nieces and nephews, Nancy Metelski, Patricia Flynn (Jim), Barry Desrochers (Valerie) and Bonnie Cote (Denny); 14 great-nieces and nephews; and 25 great-great-nieces and nephews.

The family extends heartfelt thanks to the administrators and caregivers at Right at Home and Hospice of Southern Maine for the compassionate care provided to Paul in his final months.

Services will be held at Conroy-Tully Walker Funeral Home of South Portland, 1024 Broadway, South Portland, on Tuesday, December 30, 2025, with visitation at 10 a.m., followed by a service at 11 a.m. To view the livestream of the service, please visit www.facebook.com/ConroyTullyWalker. The livestream will begin at 10:45am. Interment will immediately follow at Forest City Cemetery in South Portland.

Donations in Paul’s memory may be made to the Scarborough High School Music Boosters (checks payable to Scarborough Music Boosters and mailed c/o Mr. Jeff Mosher, Scarborough High School, 11 Municipal Drive, Scarborough, ME 04074), www.scarboroughcrossroads.org/bandboosters/; or Hospice of Southern Maine, 390 US Route One, Scarborough, ME 04074, https://hsm46624.thankyou4caring.org/sslpage.aspx?pid=298