Paul A. Dubois

New Castle, NH - Paul Arthur Dubois passed away peacefully on February 14, 2023, after a courageous fight against Covid-19. Our hearts are broken from the loss of such a fine man. He will be remembered for his kindness, generosity, and quick wit.

The youngest of three and the only boy, Paul was born on November 8, 1941, to Arthur and Lucienne Dubois, in St. Johnsbury, Vermont. Given his family's Canadian roots, he spoke French at home until the age of five. His early language skills would serve him well later in life.

Paul attended Assumption Preparatory School in Worcester MA, and graduated from St. Anselm College in Manchester NH in 1964, the product of all-boys Catholic schools. After a brief stint as a high school English teacher, Paul returned to St. Johnsbury to help run the family business, Maple Center Motel, until it was sold. He then returned to education.

In 1972, Paul and his first wife, the late Patricia Dionne Dubois, moved to Durham where he took a position at the University of New Hampshire. There, they raised two children, Demi and Chris. He would often be seen taking his kids to Snively Arena for ice hockey games or lacing up their skates at Jackson's Landing.

Paul was a founding member of the Durham Men's Basketball Organization (The DUMBOs) that played twice weekly in the Catholic Student Center at St. Thomas More Church. He formed life-long friendships both on and off the court. He was an avid Boston Celtics fan.

Upon leaving UNH, Paul joined his long-time friend and business partner, the late John McCooey, to launch New England Emergency Response Systems (NEERS) in Dover. Paul was known as a fair and generous boss who enjoyed his daily trips to post offices in NH and Maine to collect the company mail.

Around this time, Paul met Sharon (Nicol) Griffin after being introduced by mutual friends. He would visit her in Worcester MA, where Sharon was a professor at Clark University. Eventually, they moved into a Cape-style house overlooking Mill Pond in Durham.

In 2010, Paul and Sharon established their home in New Castle. Although a stone's throw from Wentworth by the Sea C.C., Paul continued to play golf at his home course, Cochecho Country Club, in Dover. He enjoyed the camaraderie on the links and over lunch in the clubhouse.

Paul and Sharon were drawn to the south of France, where they resided part of the year in Villefranche-sur-Mer. For nearly 20 years, they used Villefranche as a springboard for their travels throughout Europe and beyond. They were about to embark on a new adventure in Naples, Florida, until the coronavirus thwarted their plans.

Paul is survived by Sharon, his devoted wife and partner of 27 years, his children Demerise Dubois of Rye NH and Christian Dubois of Hingham MA, and stepson Ruari Griffin of Mountain View CA. He was the proud "Poppa" to his beloved grandchildren Emily and Ethan Nguyen, Will, Nick, and James Dubois, and Elijah Griffin. Paul was predeceased by his sister Gloria Dubois and stepson Horatio Griffin. He is also survived by a sister Cecile (Joseph) Merchant of South Portland ME.

A funeral mass will be held on Tuesday, May 16, at 10:00 A.M. at Immaculate Conception Church, 98 Summer Street, Portsmouth NH. Following a private interment ceremony, friends and family are welcome to attend a luncheon in celebration of Paul's life at 12 noon. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in his memory to: CARES Foundation, caresfoundation.org, 2414 Morris Avenue, Suite 110, Union NJ 07083; Triangle Club, triangleclubdovernh.org, 120 Broadway Avenue, Dover NH 03820; or a charity of your choice.