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Paul Caret Obituary
He was born in Augusta on March 18, 1957, the son of Laurence and Monique (Simpson) Caret.
Paul graduated from Messalonskee High School, class of 1975, and attended Southern Maine Technical College in South Portland. He began working at the Maine Central Railroad before working for Cianbro Corp. for more than 20 years. He then was employed for seven years by MEMIC of Portland.
In all of his jobs, Paul made numerous close friends who were a great support for the family in their time of need.
Paul always had a great wit. His spirit, optimism and love for life, even to the end, were his greatest assets. He always lent a hand and gave more than you would expect of an individual. You couldn't find a person who had anything negative to say about him.
He was an avid outdoorsman and loved spending time with his friends and family at the Tipumova hunting lodge. He also enjoyed hunting and fishing at East Grand Lake and North Pond.
While his children were growing up, Paul often volunteered as coach for their many sporting activities.
He was predeceased by his mother, Monique Caret.
Surviving are his wife of 27 years, Connie Caret, and his children, Benjimen and Shelby Caret of Belgrade; his father, Laurence Caret, and wife Sandra, of Oakland; brother Joseph Caret, and wife Laura and their children, Noah and Elijah, of Oakland; brother Matthew Caret, and wife Mary and their son, Jeremiah of Florida; sister Laurie Hanna, and husband Paul and their children, Becky, Trevor and Clinton and Clinton's son, Tyler, of Belgrade; and sister Mary Denbow, and husband Brian and their children, Bailey and Gabe, of Oakland.
Paul's family would like to thank everyone for the wonderful support and help during his difficult illness and a special thank-you to the eHOPE group, who felt he was one of the bravest men they have known.
A funeral service will be held at 11 a.m. Friday, Sept. 24, at St. Theresa's Catholic Church, Church Street, Oakland.
Arrangements are by Wheeler Funeral Home and Cremation Services.
In lieu of flowers, those who wish may make donations in memory of Paul Caret to the ALS Foundation, Northern New England Chapter, 10 Ferry St, Suite 438, Box 314, Concord, NH 03301; or to a college fund for his daughter, Shelby Caret, c/o KVFCU, Connie Caret, 35 Oak St. Oakland, ME 04963.
To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.
Memories and Condolences
for Paul Caret
Henry reynolds
September 10, 2024
Paul will always be remembered for his wit and humor. I will always remember our walks on the pier before ever. Staff meeting and the time he dropped the bomb on me about Al´s. He had even a positive attitude during his illness. Love that man and I am sure he is in heaven entering people with his humor. RIP Paul.
Henry
September 10, 2022
Paul was remembered and still as a friend and coworker. Before each staff meeting at MEMIC we would walk down to the fishing pier and shoot the bull. That is when he dropped the bomb about ALS. The struggle was long and hard for all. Rest in peace. Buddy!
Henry Reynolds
September 11, 2021
Paul will always be remembered for the times before a staff meeting we would go to the pier shoot the bull and watch fishermen. I will always remember when he told me about the diagnoses. He was and will always be in my mind and heart. Love him as a great coworker and fiend. God Bless all family members.
Henry Reynolds
September 11, 2020
Always be remembered for our discussions at the Dock in Portland. Watching people fishing and talking about family and crazy times and then when he dropped the bomb on me at his final staff meeting. H was always positive during this unforgiving disease. A pleasure to work with and always smiling and positive attitude. I miss him as a friend and coworker. Remember a comment from Paul when we were cutting and stacking wood and Paul was on deck, because he could not move his arms sipping an adult beverage and he commented, "It is a fallacy if you drink an adult beverage (beer) through a straw you will not get anebriated any quicker". Always positive to the end! God Bless his wife and family for being there for him. Be Strong like Paul. A missed positive person! We lost allot when he passed.
Mindy Griffin White
September 27, 2010
Caret family - I will always hold fond childhood memories in Portland - especially the ice slide that the boys worked so hard on each winter. I was so sorry to hear of Paul's passing.
Kim Meader
September 24, 2010
To the Caret Family, So sorry for your loss.
The Meader Family.
Bethany Austin
September 24, 2010
We are so sorry...know that we are thinking of all of you at this time and wishing you comfort and peace...
Love, Beth,Dave,Keith and Michael
Alan & Susan Veilleux
September 24, 2010
To The Caret Family.My wife and I have Known and worked with members of the Caret Family and know what a tremendous loss it must be for them.Please except our sincere condolences.
Bill and Julie Gee
September 23, 2010
Love you all, so many great memories, Paul and Connie being such great neighbors and always friendly. Shelby, you would come for hot chocolate and Ben would come to visit....our prayers are with you.
Cheryl Boucher
September 23, 2010
Caret family, so sorry for your loss he will be missed by all that knew him
Lori Carrigan
September 23, 2010
From the very first day Paul started at MEMIC, everyone loved him. His happy-go-lucky attitude was contagious. You could have been having a bad day, until you ran into Paul. It would just take him a moment, and he could turn your day around.
Amazing man, God must have really needed his spirit up there.
Joe Bolduc
September 22, 2010
So long Paul
September 22, 2010
Connie, Ben and Shelby,
Paul and I only knew each other for about 7 years but he has left an everlasting impression on my life. Always a positive attitude even threw his trials and tribulations.I remember times that Tom Slattery and I would talk to him about playing Golf and he said no he had to attend Shelby's softball game. I remember the time that Paul and I were at the dock in Portland Harbor before one of our MEMIC outings and he told me about his illness and I told him I was sorry. He said you have to take what the guy in the sky has dealt you and to live life to it's fullest. This Paul did. I'm going to miss his one liners and positive attitude. You learn alot from younger people and I considered Paul younger and a fantastic friend. I thank the Lord above for giving me the opportunity to meet and learn from Paul.
My sympathies are with you 3 w3hich also went through alot the last 3 years God Bless!
Henry C. Reynolds
Carol Ouellette
September 20, 2010
Paul was a wonderful co-worker. He made everyone feel like they were a "best friend" and you would want to be! The folks at Cianbro all loved Paul. My prayers are with the family for your loss of such a super guy.
Amy Wooley
September 19, 2010
My thoughts and prayers are with Pauls family during this time.
Sherry Nadeau
September 19, 2010
To The Caret Family;
Our thoughts and prayers are with you all.
Tom Suttie
September 18, 2010
Our sympathy to the Caret Family.Tom,Cathy,Lauren and Tom....Paul we only chatted once but the nice compliment you gave to me about my son will be something i will carry with me forever.
Julie Kadnar
September 18, 2010
My sympathy to the Caret family on the loss of Paul. Paul alway had a nice smile and very personable. He will be missed but will be with you in spirit all the time!
ted haskell
September 18, 2010
I am saddened to read of Paul's passing. Although I knew Paul through his work with MEMIC, he made you feel like a real friend. We will miss his positive attitude and knowledge of constuction safety. A real professional.
Paul - You still owe me the dozen ears of corn and I expect to collect some day !!!
J Vigue
September 18, 2010
I knew Paul when we were both in High School, he in Oakland and I in Waterville. Both of us thought we lived in the best town around and tried to convince each other with reason after reason. Especially regarding our sports teams. We met when we were both working at the movie theatre. We would place bets on whether a certain person would stop and buy popcorn or not. If I lost, I had to sweep the theatre while he sat in the back and talked about everything under the sun, watching me work. He loved it when he won. At work, we had a lot of "down time" and talked about our families, our lives, our future goals and our dreams. We were 17 years old, but Paul already knew what he wanted. Soon we went our separate ways, and I don't know that he would remember me. But I always remembered Paul and his dreams about having a picture-postcard life and a happy family.
I was shocked to see his name in the paper and to hear of his difficult passing at such a young age, my age. But what a smile I got from hearing about his life, his family, his friends and his happy years. It seems like most of his dreams all came true, and how many of us can say that? One of his dreams was to live to be a ripe old age smoking a pipe by a campfire. He didn't get that one, but it sounds like he got so much of what he wanted out of life. Ninety percent? Ninety five percent? Paul wouldn't complain about that. The good outweighed the bad for the work-mate that I never forgot. I'm so glad to find out that he was so happy.
At the movie theatre, one of our jobs was to climb a huge, shaky ladder to fix the show sign out front. Paul almost fell one night. Then he said something along the lines of "Here I am telling you all about the wife and kids I'm going to have one day, and I almost go and blow it all just by losing my step! Geez Caret, wise up! "
I don't know if that was the moment that Paul decided that life was precious and that he needed to live it to the fullest...maybe it was, maybe it wasn't. But it sure sounds like Paul went on to live it to the fullest indeed.
What kind of guy comes into your life for a couple of months one summer, and you end up never forgetting him? Paul Caret, that's what kind of guy. I hope he is enjoying his time up in that big movie theatre in the sky, I'm sure that he is. I'm sorry that I didn't keep in touch, Paul. I'm sorry that I wasn't around to hold the ladder for you when you needed it again. But it sounds like you did a pretty good job of doing it on your own. Way to go.
I am so sorry to hear of Paul's death, but so damn happy to hear about his LIFE!
Denise (Hallee) Levesque
September 17, 2010
Paul gave of himself to so many people and will live forever in every heart he has touched. My heartfelt sympathy to Connie and the entire Caret family.
Booth Family
September 17, 2010
Dear Shelby and Caret Family,
Our thoughts and prayers have been with you and your family and we'll continue to keep you in our thoughts and prayers. Hold on to all the good memories as they will keep you strong.
Take care,
Dan&Joanne,Maggie,Zack and Nicky
Michael Denis
September 17, 2010
As long as Paul lives in your memories, he is not gone. My condolences to the entire family.
Brian Knowles
September 17, 2010
To The Caret Family,
We offer our sincere condolences and prayers. You have all summed up the perfect descriptions of Paul attributes and how he lived life. I have many, many great memories at work, fishing and hunting in the Northern Maine Lakes and the headwaters of the Allagash. We will never forget the 2004 moose hunt. What a wonderful family to spend a week with. I am sorry that I have not had an opportunity to be close the last few years. May his soul rest in peace.
Brian & Peggy Knowles
Palmyra, ME & DeRidder, LA
Bernard Jordan
September 17, 2010
My sincere condolances to all of the Caret Family. I worked with all of the family, Lawrence, Joe@ Paul. With Paul was the annual rail job in Canton.Paul will be missed by all that knew him, he always had that big smile when you run into him.
Doreen Smith
September 17, 2010
My thoughts and prayers are with you in your time of grief. May your memories bring you comfort.
September 17, 2010
To all the family: Please accept my condolences. Paul and I worked together on numerous jobs throughtout his career with Cianbro. We always had a good time and got things done. Rest in Peace my old friend. Rod MacKay
September 17, 2010
Connie,Ben,Shelby and The Caret Family. Our thoughts are with you. So sorry for your loss.
Randy and Diana Stevens
Ashley Blubaug
September 16, 2010
Aunt Connie, Ben, & Shelby,
I am so grateful for the time me and my mom got to spend with you all in June. I love y'all so much and wish that I could be there to hug you all at this time! You will be in my prayers as you carry on through this tough time. I LOVE Y'ALL!!!! XOXOXOXOXO
September 16, 2010
To Caret Familey, Our sincere condolancen. Thoughts and prayes are with you.
Ron Bonnell/sindee bucknam
Bill Pullen
September 16, 2010
To the family of Paul,
My heartfelt condolences go out to all. While my memories of Paul mostly date back to high school, they are fond and of a wonderful person who will be missed.
Peggy Wood
September 16, 2010
Mary and Family, I'm very sorry to hear about the loss of your brother. My thoughts and prayers are with you.
Robin Bickford
September 16, 2010
To the Caret Family - I am very sorry for your loss and peace to all.
J B
September 16, 2010
In the few hours that I was blessed to share with Paul, I have only a tiny picture of the man he was. But that little glimpse was all that was needed to see what a large presence he will continue to be in the lives of so many, and how he serves as a model of how to focus on, and savor all that we have, and refuse to be consumed by what we don't. He will be missed, but always in our thoughts.
Paul, "Watch Your Top Knot!"
Lori Witham
September 16, 2010
Laurie and family,
I am so sorry to hear about Paul. I'll always remember his smile and energy. My thoughts are with you and your family.
Lori
Christine Collomy
September 16, 2010
To The Caret Family,
My life will be forever blessed because I had the privledge to know and work with Paul. My thoughts and prayers are with you.
Catherine Colby
September 16, 2010
Connie, Shelby, and Ben, I was so sad to hear of Paul's passing. It's been a tough road, but we are all so proud of you for how you've handled this long hard battle head on and united. Connie, you should proud of the fantastic children you and Paul have raised. I know Shelby best, and she is one of the finest people I've met and maybe ever will.
You're in our thoughts.
The Colby's
Teresa Mattison
September 16, 2010
Connie, Shelby and Ben,
Some people make huge contributions in this life by just being. That is Paul. His strength, courage, and love is an inspiration to me. You are forever in my heart, thoughts and prayers.
Teresa Mattison
September 16, 2010
Connie, Shelby & Ben,
Some people make huge contributions in this life by just being. That is Paul Caret. His strength, courage, love, & friendship will always be an inspiration to me. You are forever in my heart, thoughts and prayers.
Garry and Marge Sawtelle
September 16, 2010
Paul was a shining star - a beautiful human being. Our sincerest condolences to the Caret family.
Tim Poulin
September 16, 2010
To Connie,Ben and Shelby and the Caret family,Laurence,Joe,Matt,Laurie and Mary.Some of my fondest memories are the times I spent with the Caret family.I can still hear the horseshoes banging off the posts in the backyard.Paul is a great person from a great family.My thoughts and prayers are with you all.
September 16, 2010
Connie, Ben and Shelby, our deepest sympathy to you. Paul is a person that we will never forget. He was a wonderful neighbor and a good friend. May he rest in peace.
Mark and Jolene Belserene & Family
September 16, 2010
To the entire Caret Family,
No words can help ease the pain of your loss, but know that you are all very close in my every thought and prayer.
Someone so special, can never be forgotten.
Mary Nice, Akron, Ohio
Karen (Cook) Markham
September 16, 2010
Mary, you and all of your family will be in my family's prayers. I am so sorry for the loss of Paul...
Leo Caron
September 16, 2010
To The Caret Family,
Words seem so empty when hearts are so full of caring. Hope you can somehow feel the many thoughts that are with you all now. May Paul's spirit live long in his family.
With Sympathy,
Karen Heathfield
September 16, 2010
Laurie and your entire family,
I am so very sorry to read of your loss. You are in my thoughts and prayers. My heartfelt condolences to all.
Karen (Bartlett) Heathfield
Spring Grove, Va.
Lori French
September 16, 2010
Connie and family, I am so sorry to hear about Paul. You are in my thoughts and prayers.
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