- Date Of Death: June 15, 2015
- State: Maine
But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control. ~Galatians 5:22-23
Nowhere is the fruit of the Spirit evidenced more strongly than in the life and character of Paul Gaillard.
Paul Julien Gaillard, 79, of New Gloucester died Monday, June 15 with loving family at his side at the Hospice House, Auburn.
Paul was born July 12, 1935 in Franklin, NH, son of Roger and Rachel Gaillard. He was a graduate of Laconia HS in 1954.
Paul married his high school sweetheart and soul mate, Jeannine Provencal in 1955, who survives him. Together they raised four children (and numerous dogs).
Paul served in the US Air Force from 1954 through 1958, where he spent much of his term in Narsarssuak, Greenland employed in air born radio repair / air rescue. The last base on which he served was Seymour Johnson Air Force Base in Goldsboro, NC.
During his time in the Air Force, Paul acquired skills in electronics upon which he would build his post-military career in electronics management that would last until his retirement in 2001. He had a very very strong work ethic and took pride in his work wherever he went. Over his 40+ year career he held positions at numerous companies including Fairchild Semi-Conductor, Arrow Head, Phillips ELMET and Mecon.
His strong work ethic was not abandoned in his retirement. He continued to work well into his seventies, first as a landscaper and gardener for various private clients. Gardening and landscaping were among his many skills that became enjoyable work for him.
Another example of a working passion of Paul’s was his love of golf. He was an avid golfer and over the past several years was employed on staff at Spring Meadows Golf Club in Gray. He enjoyed his job very much and when he wasn’t working he loved to be out on the course himself. The golf course was one of the places where he felt happiest (and occasionally most frustrated). One of his favorite past-times of all was golfing with his son.
Paul was a devoted and loving husband and father and deeply cared for his family.
Paul’s extended family included that of his beloved church, St. Gregory Church of the Parish of the Holy Eucharist in Gray, ME, where he served faithfully as a Eucharistic Minister and Lector. Additionally he served on the church Council as President for two terms. Paul is also known for his distinctive resonant voice which he used to sing proudly as tenor in the church choir for many years.
Paul had a strong Christian ethic and a heart for Christ that gave rise to his participation in ecumenical fellowship, and he regularly attended Bible study and meetings with members of several Christian denominations.
Paul’s family, friends and neighbors were the beneficiaries of unceasing acts of kindness. He took responsibility for the well-being of everyone he met and would concern himself always with providing food or transportaton or other assistance to those in need.
Almost as important to Paul as family, friends, church and golf was his love for “his” teams the Boston Red Sox and the New England Patriots. He watched his favorite teams play at every opportunity. Still he most enjoyed watching golf – if he couldn’t be on the course himself.
Paul was an exceptionally caring person, evidenced by the number of people who loved him. He held strong convictions about the manner in which others should be treated. In some final words of advice from him he cited the words of Jesus from Luke 6:31, “Do unto other as you would have done to you.” Of this Paul said “Life is better and easier that way.”
In addition to his wife Jeannine, Paul is survived by his children, Andrew Gaillard and wife Deborah, Timothy Gaillard and wife Rebecca, Paula Gaillard and Carolyn Easton, and Keith Gaillard and wife Heather. Paul is also survived by five Grandchildren, Andrew Gaillard, Kayla Gaillard, Nicholas Manderelli, Julien Gaillard and Madeleine Gaillard. He is survived also by several nieces, nephews, cousins and great-grandchildren.
