Paul Henry Therrien Sr.

CW5 Paul H. Therrien Sr., 69, of Ellington, CT, ended his service and passed away on Friday, March 28, 2025, at his home. Paul was born in Manchester, CT on April 25, 1955, son of the late Frederick and Ethel (Schofield) Therrien. Paul grew up in Ellington, was very active in sports and scholastics as a young man, and was a graduate of Ellington High School, class of 1973. He went on to serve our country with the U.S. Army, and later the CT Army National Guard. Paul graduated flight school and warrant officer training, and proudly became a helicopter pilot, and later the flight safety officer for Connecticut. He honorably served through Desert Storm, 9/11, and the Afghanistan conflict. Paul was a mentor to many service members in his time, always willing to share his wisdom. He retired in 2009 as a Chief Warrant Officer 5, after 35 years of exemplary service. Paul was always an outspoken advocate for his fellow soldiers, always willing to represent them when needed with the Veteran's Administration, or even before Congress.
Every life he's touched knows the loss we all suffer- Paul was a force of will. He loved the people in his life fiercely and was very protective of all those close to him. A man of many skills, countless are the people who called on Paul to build them a deck, an addition, or a roof, renovate a kitchen or give an opinion on any number of building challenges. And you never needed to ask- he would volunteer his time, his skills and his wisdom, often simply for a good meal. He completely rebuilt his childhood home from the ground up, almost single-handedly. Pictures of his house being lifted onto the new foundation made the local papers.
Paul volunteered his time throughout his life to those around him: he was a Scoutmaster with the Boy Scouts of America, a respected coach and umpire with Ellington Rec sports, and organizer of many charity golf tournaments benefitting veterans. Paul was a lifelong golfer, and a fixture in the local Cedar Knob golf leagues. He was an active member of the Rockville Fish & Game Club, volunteering his military experience to act as a range master for club shooting days. Paul was also a devoted donator to causes he believed in, including breast cancer research, veteran's support services and educational outreach programs.
Paul was also a lifelong musician, from high school bands right up until recently- he loved to play music and sing. Many locals and all of his family have memories of Paul playing guitar, bass or keyboards with his friends at local restaurants and charity events, or just jamming at family functions. His guitar and golf clubs often traveled with him.
Paul leaves his children, Beverly Rhoads, James Rhoads, and Paul H. Therrien Jr., all of Ellington. He also leaves his brothers; Wayne Therrien and his wife Linda of Pomfret, Bruce Therrien and his partner Mary Baker of Bluefield, VA, and his sister, Tracey Graves and her husband Joseph of Ellington. He also leaves five grandchildren; Megan and Adam Bronson, Lucas LaPierre, Gabriel and Grady Rhoads, and two great grandchildren. In addition to a much beloved extended family, he also leaves his military family and too many cherished friends to list.
His family will receive friends on Saturday, April 12, 2025, from 1-4 p.m., at the Ladd-Turkington & Carmon Funeral Home, 551 Talcottville Rd., (Rte. 83) Vernon. A funeral service will be held on Sunday, April 13, 2025, at 1 pm., at the funeral home. Burial with Military Honors will follow at Ellington Center Cemetery, 95 Maple St., Ellington. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in Paul's memory to Work Vessels for Vets, a local CT veteran's non-profit (https://workvesselsforveterans.org/donate/). For online condolences please visit https://www.mykeeper.com/PaulTherrien.