Albert A. Paul

RUMFORD -- Albert A. Paul "Harpo," "Red," Rumford's Citizen of the Year, 2005-2006, died at the Rumford Hospital on July 29, 2007.

Albert was born in Rumford on July 5, 1918, son of Maris Stella (Harvey) and Charles Paul. He had been a member and communicant of St. Athanasius and St. John Church all of his life. He was a member of the Knights of Columbus, 3rd Degree.

He graduated from Stephens High School, class of 1938. During high school, he was the center for the high school football team, which won the State Class A Championship, 1937.

At 18, he joined the National Guard Co. B. The Maine National Guard was called to active duty Feb. 24, 1941. Co. B, 103rd Infantry, and 43rd Division Army served in the South Pacific the entire war. Battles Paul participated in included Guadalcanal, the Philippines, New Guinea, New Caledonia, the Solomon's, and the Marianna's. While in New Guinea, he used his knowledge of the French language to act as an interpreter. He was honorably discharged in 1945 with a rank of Staff Sergeant.

After the war, Red served as the leader for the military color guard and firing squad that provided military honors at all the funerals in the Rumford and Mexico area for servicemen whose bodies were returned home for burial after World War II and the Korean War.

Paul's expertise in march and drill caught the attention of Father Menahan of St. Athanasius School. Father asked Paul to be the drill master of the school's band, an offer he accepted. Paul was proud of the band and it won many awards for its skills.

After the war, Harpo returned to work at Oxford Paper Company. He retired in 1982 after 38 years as a papermaker.

Paul was a life member of the Robert Shand Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 1641. Since becoming a member in 1942, he held many offices including post commander twice. He also held district, state and national offices including Commander District No. 9, State of Maine; Maine State Junior Vice Commander; National Finance Committee; and he was Aide-de-Camp to the National Commander. He had been honored by the Robert Shand Post of Rumford and the Norway-South Paris Veterans of Foreign Wars for his dedicated service to all veterans and their causes and for his promotion of patriotism in the community.

For more than 50 years, Paul had coordinated the Rumford/Mexico Veteran's Day Parades with the last being in 1999. After that he suggested to the veterans that they change their course to the high school auditorium for Veteran Day survivors. The change has been well accepted by the citizens of both towns.

In 1990, he developed the idea of a Veterans Memorial Mass on the Sunday before Veterans Day. This Mass honors all veterans but especially those from the area that have died in the past year.

Red was also a member of the Napoleon Ouellette American Legion Post 24.

For 13 years, he served on the Maine State Veterans' Coordinating Committee. He always was active in the support of all veterans' needs and their services. He led a letter writing campaign to Maine's Senators and representatives to intervene and keep services at Togus for Maine's veterans.

Also, while a member of the MSVCC, Red developed the idea to have the State of Maine have license plates designating "Veteran" available to veterans. He presented his idea to the Committee and they supported him with the plan. He then spoke before the State Senate Committee on Veterans' Affairs. Senator McCormick from South Portland, also a veteran, proudly supported the bill, which was quickly passed. The license plates bearing the red "V" now designate Maine Veterans. When offered one of the first plates, Paul declined, stating "I'm not special; I'm a veteran just like all the others who served."

After his tenure on the MSVCC, he joined the newly organized Western Maine Veterans' Coordinating Committee ( WMVCC) and was elected vice-chairman and held that position since. The WMVCC raises funds to support year round activities for the veterans and their families at the South Paris, Maine Veterans' Home. The committee also provides a platform for speakers to provide information on services available to veterans.

In 2003, he developed the idea for a trip for veterans to the World War II Memorial Dedication in Washington, D.C., May 2004. Along with Loretta Bard, R.N., at the Rumford VA clinic, they planned and organized the trip. One hundred Maine Veterans from World War II, the Korean War, Vietnam and Desert Storm, and a few family members were able to attend and participate in the dedication honoring "The Greatest Generation."

Paul always loved sports. He was an excellent skier -- his first skis were barrel staves. For years, he was a member of the Chisholm Ski Club. He skied until the age of 82, at which time an acute illness left his legs weak. He remained an avid football fan (thanks to television) and also followed the local high school team closely. He loved to play golf and belonged to the Oakdale Country Club.

In 2005, Paul was selected Citizen of the Year by the Rumford selectmen. He was so proud and honored when chosen.

Paul was married to Rita Elliott Paul, who died October, 1987.

He is survived by his daughter, Patricia Paul of Winslow; his kid brother, "Knute" Francis Paul of Montana; stepson Michael Errington and his wife, Pat, of Melbourne, Fla.; stepdaughter Sylvia Cross and her husband, Roger, of Pace, Fla.; brothers-in-law Bill Elliott and his wife, Alicia, of West Melbourne, Fla., and Roxbury Pond, and Joe Elliott and his wife, Martha, of Rumford; six grandchildren, Lee, Robert, Christinalyn, Shannon, Jason, and Nathan; five great-grandchildren, Corey, Victoria, Callie, Megan, and Courtney; special neighbors Matt Burnham and family, Glendon Thurston and family, and Asa and Gail Maynard.

He was predeceased by his wife, Rita; his parents; his brothers, Stanley, Gerard, Raymond, Harvey C., Edmund, Norman, Charles, and Harvey O.; his sister Theresa; and his grandson and namesake, Paul Albert H. Cote.

His pride in and respect for the flag that he defended, love of the country of his birth and his hometown, and his genuine concern for the dignity of all veterans was evident to all who knew him.

There will be no visiting hours. A memorial Mass will be celebrated at noon Saturday, Aug. 4, at St. Athanasius and St. John Catholic Church. Interment will be in Maine Veterans Cemetery. Friends please omit flowers and make contributions to Western Maine Veterans Advisory Committee, c/o Maine Veterans Home, 477 High St., South Paris, ME 04281, attn: Joe Cooney, or St. Athanasius & St. John Catholic Church, 126 Maine Ave., Rumford, ME 04276.

All veterans attending the Mass are asked to please meet in the rear of the church to process in a group. Arrangements are by S.G. Thibault Funeral Home & Cremation Services, 250 Penobscot St., Rumford, ME 04276; 364-4366; www.dignitymemorial.com