Joseph A. Paradis

SOUTH PARIS – Joseph A. Paradis, 94, of the Maine Veterans Home in South Paris, passed away on Thursday, April 17, 2025.

He was born in Augusta on Aug. 4, 1930, the son of Arthur Paradis Sr. and Florence Boulet Cyr. However, he and his brother Arthur were under the care of the State of Maine. The State of Maine sent both to the Healy Asylum in Lewiston at a very young age. Joe and his brother were fostered in the loving family of George and Alise Marcoux of Lewiston.

He attended Holy Family School. He joined the Army at the age of 17. He served in the Korean Conflict with the 278th Infantry. While in Korea he was wounded and a POW, MIA for 29 days. His service to his country was from 1947 to 1951.

Upon discharge, he returned home and married Cecile Turgeon. He held various jobs in the Lewiston/Auburn area until becoming disabled. Once disabled, he advocated for all veterans and for all the local veteran’s organizations for many decades, as well as being a member of each. In 2002 he successfully petitioned the City of Lewiston to rename Heritage Park to Veterans Memorial Park. Joe and many other dedicated men and women became founders of the park.

He lived in the Lewiston/Auburn area most of his life. He was a parishioner of Holy Family Church. Among his most enjoyable things to do were going out to eat and visiting the Maine coast with friends. He also liked to buy and sell things. He loved the pickup trucks that he owned and going to breakfast with his brother in their later years. His favorite place on earth was Boothbay Harbor.

He is survived by sons Paul Paradis (Janice) of Poland and Gerald Paradis Sr. also of Poland and daughter, Diane Guimond of Auburn; former wife, Cecile Paradis; many grandchildren and their spouses; great-grandchildren; great-great-grandchildren; and nieces and nephews.

Joe was predeceased by sons Armand and Mark Paradis; grandson, Brawn Paradis; brother, Arthur Paradis and his wife Dolores, sisters Muriel (Arthur) Melanson and Gilberte Bernier, both of whom he was unaware of until later in life and loved with his whole heart! His very loving and cherished Marcoux family; parents George and Alise Marcoux; siblings Wilfred Marcoux, Maxim Marcoux, Antoinette Marcoux Begin and Marie Louise Marcoux Pepin; birth parents Arthur Paradis Sr. and Florence Boulet Cyr; and a very special friend, Claire Guerette, whose entire family treated Joe with genuine affection and kindness.

We want to express our heartfelt appreciation to everyone at the South Paris Veterans Home. Dad received loving and professional care while there, especially God’s angels on earth in Unit B. Also, our sincerest gratitude to Josephine Stevens, primary care social worker at the VA clinic in Lewiston, for all the assistance she provided Dad and family over the many years.

A Funeral Mass honoring Joseph’s life will be celebrated on Monday, April 28, at 11 a.m. at Holy Family Church. Committal Services along with a Military Honors service will follow at St. Peter’s Cemetery.

Visitation will be held on Sunday, April 27, from 4 to 8 p.m. at The Fortin & Pinette Group, 305 Alfred A. Plourde Parkway in Lewiston, 784-4023. Online condolences and sharing of memories may be expressed at http://www.fortinpinettegrouplewiston.com.

In lieu of flowers,

please make a donation in

Joseph’s memory to the

Maine Veterans Home

477 High St.

South Paris, ME 04281