George J. Pauley III

George J. Pauley III, 73, of Berlin, loving husband of Joan (Holyst) Pauley for 51 years, died early New Year's Day (January 1, 2016), proving one last time that he called the shots. Born in New Haven, son of the late George J. Pauley Jr. and the late Sophie (Poreda) Pauley, he graduated from Wilbur Cross High School in New Haven, and worked hard and long for many years to ultimately become the Executive Vice President of Stop & Shop Company before his retirement. Extremely detail oriented, he won numerous awards for his produce displays as he worked his way up the corporate ladder. A direct and honest man, those who knew George quickly became acquainted with his strong personality, whether you wanted to or not, as he made sure you knew exactly where you stood with him, never believing in a "middle ground". His penchant for details carried over into the select hobbies and interests he pursued. Among his favorite activities were his many trips to the Super Bowl. Not one to approach any task lightly, he sought perfection in everything from growing his massive vegetable gardens, fine tuning his famous prime rib and French onion soup recipes, and most notably, rebuilding his classic cars. A winner of many trophies in Connecticut and Massachusetts for his beautifully restored vehicles, he rode with his motto "CHOP-IT" emblazoned on his CT plates. For more than 18 years, George enjoyed relaxing at his beach house on Cape Cod without ever setting foot on the beach or in the water. He preferred the beach without sand, always saying "I can see you from my chair on the deck" when asked by his children and grandchildren to come on down. In typical George-style, his favorite months at the beach were October-April, seeking the quiet and low-key atmosphere of the beach in fall and winter. In addition to his wife, he is survived by three children and their spouses, and 10 grandchildren, Jacquelyn and Michael Sokolowski of Berlin, Michael and Dawn Pauley of Berlin, and Linette and Lucio Caraco of Burlington. Papa had special nicknames for each of his grandchildren, Samuel "Sam-A-Reno", Emma Rose "M&M", Charles "Charlie Cool", Lily Mae "Lily Bug" aka "Shirley Temple", and Jackson "Action Jackson" Sokolowski, Alexandra "Her Unique Greatness", and Katarina "Kit Kat", and Jonathan "Johnny Boy" Pauley, and Nicholas "Nick at Nite" and Grace "Twinkie" Caraco. He also leaves his sister-in-law and her husband, Doris and David "Pat" DeSaulnier of Chatham, MA. Funeral services will be held Tuesday at 10:30am from Porter's Funeral Home, 111 Chamberlain Highway, Berlin, followed by a Funeral Liturgy at 11:30am at St. Paul Church on Alling Street. Burial will be in Maple Cemetery, Berlin. Friends and relatives are invited to call at the funeral home Monday from 5-7pm. In lieu of flowers, his family requests that donations be made to Paralyzed Veterans of America, 7 Mill Brook Road, PO Box 909, Wilton NH 03086-0909, or to St. Jude Children's Research Hospital, Tribute Program, P.O. Box 1000, Dept. 142, Memphis, TN 38101-9908. Directions to the funeral home can be found at www.portersfuneral.com