Paul R. Vachon

VENICE, Fla. - Paul R. Vachon, 75, of Venice, passed away peacefully at home on Dec. 6, 2013, after a long illness.

He was born in Manchester, N.H., on Feb. 24, 1938, to Larry and Rolande Vachon. He attended local schools then, after a three-year tour in the U.S. Army, graduated from New England College in Henniker, N.H.

Paul is survived by his wife, Marie Laronde Vachon of Venice; his children, Christine Radavich and husband, Jim, of East Hampton, Conn., Louise Vachon of Cromwell, Conn., Larry Vachon of Manchester, Conn., Patricia Zima and husband, Jim, of Manchester, Conn.; and a sister, Suzanne Vachon of Manchester, N.H. He also leaves behind two grandchildren, Kevin and Renee Radavich of East Hampton, Conn.

Paul spent 33 years in the corrugated package industry, mostly with Continental/Stone Container out of Portland, Conn., where he won numerous sales awards. He also was very active in his hometown politics in Ellington, Conn., where he was elected to various boards and commissions, most notably the board of selectmen, the board of education, the planning and zoning commission and the parks commission. He also was a Republican town chairman for 10 years.

Among other activities, he was a member and president of the New England College Association for six years, and in Venice he served as a member and president of the Meadow Run Homeowners Association, and the East Village Master Association over a 10-year period.

Among his favorite pastimes were playing golf, volleyball and softball. Paul also enjoyed his Boston Red Sox and NASCAR, but most especially being a member and president of the Conn. Society of Ferroequinologists and Model Railway Engineers in Manchester, Conn.

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services: A memorial Mass will be held at St. Luke's in Ellington, Conn., at 10:30 a.m. on Saturday, Jan. 4, 2014, with a reception to follow. Burial will be private. Memorial contributions may be made in his memory to the Salvation Army or Tidewell Hospice, Inc., 5955 Rand Blvd., Sarasota, 34238.

Farley Funeral Home in Venice is handling the arrangements. To send condolences, visit www.farleyfuneralhome.com.