Paul Riley Dyer
March 25, 1950 ~ February 1, 2023
Resided in:
Lyman, Maine
Paul R. Dyer, 72, of Lyman, died at his home surrounded by family on Wednesday, February 1, 2023.
Paul was born in Portland on March 25, 1950 to Kenneth and Charlene (Esancy) Dyer. He grew up in Freeport where he attended local schools, graduating from Freeport High School in 1968. In 1969 he enlisted in the U.S. Marine Corps. He proudly served for four years active duty followed by six years in the reserves attaining the rank of gunnery sergeant. During his time in the military, Paul spent two years as a drill instructor at Parris Island. In 1972 he married Dorothy Beal and together they shared 50 years of marriage and raised two sons. During his working life he was employed for many years at the Portsmouth Naval Shipyard, retiring as a Nuclear Instructor in 2007.
Paul was a talented man who could do virtually anything that he put his mind to. He was very skilled at building things and built 5 different houses during his lifetime. He also enjoyed tinkering with almost anything, doing mechanical work and working on various projects around his house. He liked making frequent visits to his son’s camp in Northern Maine where he would go hunting, fishing and riding ATVs.
Paul was a quiet and reserved man but when he spoke, it was always very thoughtful, and people would listen. He was a hard worker and always took pride in providing for his family. Whenever he did something he always gave it 100 percent, whether it be at work, home or when he was in the military. He was a loving and devoted husband, father and grandfather and loved spending time with his family, especially his grandchildren. He will be dearly missed by all his family and friends.
Surviving are his wife, Dorothy Dyer of Lyman; two sons, Brian Dyer and his wife Rosemarie of Buxton and Mark Dyer and his significant other, Lisa Libby of Sanford; six grandchildren, Ryleigh Dyer, Avery Bennett, Alexander Dyer, Marek Dyer, Julianna Dyer and Cyrus Dyer; three siblings, David Dyer, Donald Dyer and his wife Nancy and Howard Dyer and a brother-in-law, Charles Breiding, Jr. and his wife Brandy.
A memorial service will be held at 5:00 PM on Saturday, February 11th at the Carll-Heald & Black Funeral Home, located at 580 Main Street in Springvale. A memorial potluck for family and friends will be held off-site following services. Interment with military honors will be held in the spring at the Southern Maine Veterans Memorial Cemetery.
Those planning an expression of sympathy are asked to consider sending a memorial contribution to the American Cancer Society, New England Division, 1 Bowdoin Mill Island Suite 300, Topsham, Maine 04086 or online by clicking the link below.
Arrangements are under the direction of Black Funeral Homes and Cremation Service, Sanford-Springvale.
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I surly sadden on Paul’s passing. He surly wad a very kind and fun loving person. We definitely connected on his visits. We laughed and shared stories. He will be truly missed but always in my memory of being the kind and fun loving man he was. ❤️
I was so very sorry to hear of Paul’s passing he was a great brother in law and I will definitely miss him he helped me through some rough times years ago and I will never forget him sending Love to his family and friends
Paul was very giving and kind. For years he donated blood platelets as he was always thinking of other. Norm always thought that Paul was the smartest man he ever who didn’t have a college degree. In fact, he was smarter than most of those who did. What set him apart is that his knowledge was practical. If anyone had a building, mechanical, electrical or plumbing issue Paul immediately knew how to fix it. He was amazing regarding this ability.
A favorite story we have of Paul centered around Christmastime when our kids were small. Paul had cut down his own Christmas tree and decided to cut down a second one. Lo and behold, we woke the next day to a Christmas tree atop the snowbank outside our dining room window. Needless to say our kids were very excited!! This was typical Paul.
Paul was friendly, considerate, kind and helpful. He would give of his time and practical knowledge to help anyone. His friendship was deeply cherished by us.
One night Donna awoke to the sound of a bat flying above our heads in our bedroom. This took place at about 2 am. Norm managed to get the thing to fly downstairs when he turned on the lights. Donna immediately went to the bathroom and barricaded herself in. I had no idea as to how to catch the thing. So, of course, it was time to call Paul. He was at our door in an instant. We could hear the thing in our fireplace. Paul thought that if we were quiet and kept the living room dark it would reappear. Sure enough it did, flying in circles around the living room. Paul then yelled to me “Blanchette – turn on the lights”. When I did the bat went crazy and Paul managed to knock it down with a broom. It took some convincing to eventually get Donna out of the bathroom.
Paul & Dottie remained our forever best friends when we met them as neighbors in Wells since 1975.
Our condolences to the Dyer family. We’re sure you have many fond memories on which you draw on in this sad time.
I’d like to share a story if I may. Back in the day at the shipyard Paul was our radiology instructor for shop31 and 38. In the radiology world words and phrases mean a lot when we are tested. Paul was getting us ready for taking those tests but was using some of the old words/phrases and I called Paul on it. I got a look from Paul and I was like “what are we going to have a problem now?” We didn’t have problem.
It was YEARS later that I finally understood “the look.” As it turned out Paul’s son Mark and his family bought the house across the street from us. I saw Paul on several occasions at Mark’s and had the chance to keep up to date with him. One of those times Paul was getting ready to help Mark cut down a tree. I wondered over to offer a hand. There were ladders and ropes involved but Mark was a little nervous because the tree was close to the house. Mark questioned Paul and his plan on dropping the tree. To my assessment Paul gave Mark “the look.” Mark came back immediately with “ok you’re going to give me the look!”
It in that second that I understood “the look.” It was a look of mentoring and in the case of his son, love. When I got the look it was mentoring and friendship.
So here’s to you Paul, I’ll never forget that look.
Rest in peace old friend! You were a teacher of quality.
Rest in peace, Paul Dyer.
It was a pleasure working with you in Shop 38 at Portsmouth Naval Shipyard.
Prayers and sincere condolences to Paul’s family and friends