Antonio G. Paradis Ph.D.

GOFFSTOWN -- Antonio G. Paradis, Ph.D., 76, died Aug. 31, 2010, at Dartmouth Hitchcock Medical Center, Lebanon, after complications from surgery.

He was born in Winslow, Maine, to Anthony and Florence (Vigue) Paradis.

For the past 20 years, Dr. Paradis served as executive director of SERESC (Southeastern Regional Education Service Center) of Bedford. He established, developed, and implemented several major initiatives that have had a profound impact upon New Hampshire school districts. During his tenure, SERESC grew from a small, financially challenged institution to a fully interactive network for the sharing of intellectual resources, including educational communities, libraries, businesses, parents, colleges and universities and communities at large.

IN HIS LIFE: Under Dr. Paradis' leadership at SERESC, the vision of a statewide collaboration among schools has become a reality.

Dr. Paradis was a teacher and coach in Jackman and Greenville, Maine, High Schools. He was principal of Schools Monson Academy. In 1969 the family moved to Barnstead, and he was appointed principal of Pittsfield Schools and held that position for four years. In 1973 he was appointed superintendent of schools in Goffstown. He retired in 1985 after serving 25 years in education. He became a commercial real estate agent and managed and owned many apartments in the city of Manchester.

Dr. Paradis was an active charter member of the Goffstown Rotary Club, president of New Hampshire School Administrators Association, president of Southwestern Superintendent Association, member of the American Association of School Administrators, New Hampshire Superintendent Association, New England Association of School Superintendents, and Phi Delta Kappa .

Dr. Paradis graduated from Winslow High School, Class of 1953. He was captain of both the football and basketball teams. He received degrees from University of Maine, University of New Hampshire and Pacific Southwestern University. His passions were his family as well as his profession, reading, daily early-morning workouts at Gold's Gym, spending time with his family at Tall Timbers in Pittsburg, and at his summer home in Silver Lake Park, where he enjoyed fly fishing and kayaking.

Tony is survived by his loving wife of 54 years, Janice (Rogers) Paradis; a son, Bruce Paradis, his wife Debra, and their children, Connor and Loren of Escondido, Cailf.; his son Peter's son Devon; his sister Abbey and their mother Megan Hoff McElroy of New Zealand. Dr. Paradis is also survived by a sister, Patricia Pelletier of Winslow, Maine; and brother Larry Paradis of Raymond, Maine; several cousins, nieces and nephews who affectionately referred to him as "Uncle Tone." His first son, Peter, passed in January 2000, and sister Theresa Droin predeceased Tony.

SERVICES: In honor of his vision and leadership to the education of N.H. youth and adults, a memorial service will be held at the SERESC Conference Center, 29 Commerce Drive, Bedford, Saturday, Sept. 18, at 1 p.m. In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to the Dr. Antonio G. Paradis Scholarship Fund for the Brentwood School, c/o SERESC, 29 Commerce Drive, Bedford 03110.