Norman R. Paul

SANFORD - Norman Roger Paul, 83, died Tuesday, June 22 at the Maine Veterans Home in Scarborough. He was born in Rochester, New Hampshire on May 14, 1927, son of Napoleon and Orise Paul.Norman was a Navy veteran, serving in World War II and the Korean Conflict. He was assigned to the USS Des Moines C A 134, the flagship of the sixth fleet. He participated in many significant battles of the Pacific campaign, including the Philippines, battle of Leyte Gulf and the Solomon Islands. He patrolled the seas of the Mediterranean protecting allied ground forces and allies along its coastline. Norman was at sea and off the coast of Japan when both atomic bombs were deployed, resulting in the end of the war. He was recalled to duty for service in Korea aboard the USS Tucson, a light cruiser, and again assigned to the USS Des Moines. He later received plank ownership aboard both ships and was honorably discharged.Norman's dedication to helping others and his strong work ethic carried through into public service. He joined the Sanford Police Department in 1957 and rose through the ranks becoming the Deputy Chief. He served the community for 27 years. He was a strong and steadfast leader who developed many friends along the way.After retiring from the police department on May 28, 1982, Norman went on to serve his community as an elected state representative and served in the legislature for many years, representing Sanford in Augusta. He was appointed to be house chair of the Department of Inland Fish and Wildlife and served on the Labor Committee and the Veterans Affairs Committee. He was co-sponsor of the 1980's homestead exemption act for tax relief and co-sponsor of bills to establish the Veterans Homes throughout Maine, the Maine Law Enforcement Officers Memorial, as well as the Maine Moose Lottery.An avid hunter and fisherman, Norman was a past member of the Sportsman's Alliance of Maine and enjoyed yearly camping and fishing trips with his dear friends Roger Perron of Shapleigh and the late C. Scott Hoar of Sanford. He loved to hunt and fish all over the state with his three sons and grandson Ken. He was particularly fond of trips to Gordon's hunting and fishing camps in Greenville, Maine.Norman was a dedicated family man. He was a great husband, dad, and grandfather. He enjoyed spending holidays with Janice and Brian and watching his two grandchildren grow up in Shapleigh.Norman was recognized at a Sanford High School graduation, walking down the aisle to receive his GED. He was also inducted into Maine's Baseball Hall of Fame for his achievements as a pitcher for the New York Giants baseball team and actions in the Sanford Twilight League earning the pitching crown one year. Norman was a kind and gentle man and will surely be missed not only by his immediate family but by all who knew him.He was predeceased by his loving wife, Jean Ethel Burgess; his brothers, Raymond, Roland, Robert and Roy; his sisters, Beatrice and Alice; a step-granddaughter, Sandra Corliss.He is survived by his three sons; Gordon and his wife Yvonne of Sanford, David and his wife Keiko of Augusta, and Brian and his wife Janice of Shapleigh; a grandson, Kenneth Paul of Buxton, a granddaughter, Stephanie Paul of Shapleigh; a step-grandson, Gary Corliss, Jr. of Shapleigh; his brothers, Harvey and Albert; his sisters, Doris and Blanche; sister-in-law Lorna Burgess; and many nieces and nephews.A visiting hour will be held Sunday, June 27 from 2:00 - 3:00 pm at the Carll-Heald & Black Funeral Home, with a funeral service at 3:00. Those planning an expression of sympathy are asked to consider the Alzheimer's Association, 170 US Route One, Suite 250, Falmouth, Maine 04105.To leave a note of condolence for the family, please visit www.blackfuneralhomes.com.