Paul E. Bernard

WESTBROOK - Paul E. Bernard, 85, of Westbrook, formerly of Scarborough and South Portland died peacefully Saturday, August 13, 2011 at Springbrook Nursing Rehabilitation in Westbrook. He was born January 31, 1926 in Westbrook, a son of Edward and Exilia Gagnon Bernard. He was educated locally and attended Cheverus High School. Paul enlisted in the Navy during WWII and served in Seattle as an aircraft mechanic. He was very proud of his service to his country. After he returned from the war, he and his father bought Town Landing Market in Falmouth in 1947 and operated it for six years. Paul went to work for Otis Elevator in 1953, installing and maintaining elevators and escalators all over the state of Maine. He retired in 1986 after 33 years. He married Jeannette R. Bouthot (Jan) in 1949 and began raising his family. Paul lived in South Portland from 1953 - 2000. He was very active in the lives of his four children - serving as Scout Master in Cub Scouts and Boy Scouts at St. John's in South Portland, little league coach, president of the Thornton Heights PTA, and enthusiastic supporter/driver when the children were involved in the competitive swim program at the Portland YMCA and South Portland High School. Paul and Jan loved to travel - spending many winters in Florida and trips to Canada, California, Hawaii, Arizona and New Mexico. Paul was a communicant of St. John the Evangelist Church and was a member of the Knights of Columbus in Westbrook. Paul was predeceased by his parents and his wife Jeannette in 2001. Surviving are: a daughter, Susan D. Foss of Springlake, NC; three sons, Paul T. of Glendale, CA, Michael E. and his wife, Pamela of Phoenix, AZ, Timothy A. and his wife Mary of Yarmouth; a sister, Lucille Bernier and her husband Jerry of Westbrook; a brother, Donald Bernard and his wife Rose of Poland, nine grandchildren: Mike, Matt, Chris, John, Kate, David, Anna, Jenny and Ryan and 2 great-grandchildren: Aiden and Scarlett. Visiting hours will be held on Tuesday, August 16, 2011 from 2:00 to 4:00 and 6:00 to 8:00pm at Conroy-Tully Crawford South Portland Chapel, 1024 Broadway, South Portland. Prayers will be recited on Wednesday, August, 17, 2011 at 9:15am at the funeral home, followed by a 10:00am Mass of Christian Burial at St. John the Evangelist Church, Main Street, South Portland. Interment will follow in Calvary Cemetery, South Portland. Those who wish may make donations memorial donations in Paul's memory to: Alzheimers Association, Maine Chapter, 383 US Route One Suite 2C, Scarborough, ME 04074. Online Condolences for Paul Bernard