Paul Rene Roussel

With his loving family by his side, Paul Rene Roussel of Hollis, NH went to his heavenly home on Friday, August 9, 2024.

Paul Rene Roussel was born in Dracut, Massachusetts on November 23, 1935 to parents Charles Marcel and Blanche (Bernardin) Roussel. Paul was married to his beloved wife, Maryann (Hovey) Roussel for 64 years before she passed away in 2022, and they resided in Hollis, NH for over 50 years.

Paul graduated from Keith Academy in Lowell, MA in 1954. He then attended Lowell Technological Institute (University of Massachusetts - Lowell), graduating in 1958 with a Bachelor of Science degree in Paper Engineering. He was elected to Who's Who in American Colleges and Universities. He was proud of his country. He was a member of the U.S Air Force R.O.T.C., commissioned as a First Lieutenant and rising to the rank of Captain while serving in the US Air Force from 1959 - 1962. He received in 1959 a Civil Engineering Certificate from the US Air Force Institute of Technology. In 1969, Paul received a BA at the Wharton Graduate School of Business (University of PA) in the Advanced Management Program, and attended Harvard Business School, where he successfully completed an advanced course in Manufacturing and Corporate Strategy in 1983.

Paul held increasingly senior positions in the paper industry, culminating with his position as a Vice President with James River Paper Corporation (the predecessor to Georgia Pacific). During his tenure with James River, Paul also served as Vice President for the Paper Industry Management Association (PIMA).

While Paul was a successful business executive, his true passion was volunteer work. He served as the Recreation Director for the Town of Hollis, a member of the Troop 12 Committee of the Boy Scouts of America, and a member of the Site Committee for the building of the Hollis-Brookline High School.

Paul's greatest joy, though, was serving God in a variety of capacities to further the advancement of the gospel message of the unfathomable love of Jesus and help to transform the lives of everyone he encountered. He served as a Deacon, Elder and Treasurer for Amherst Baptist Church. He then became a member of Merrimack Valley Baptist Church, where he served as Chairman of the Senior Saints Group, taught Sunday School and was a member of the Men's Prayer Group.

For the past 30 plus years, Paul served as a Director for Christian Aftercare Ministries (CAM). Paul was truly honored to serve in CAM, where he engaged in prison ministry. He dedicated himself in CAM to reaching prisoners and ex-offenders with the gospel message of salvation through Jesus, including leading bible studies in New Hampshire area prisons and Half-Way Houses, tangibly demonstrating the love of Christ by assisting ex-offenders in finding new jobs, providing clothing and transportation, apartments and connecting the ex-offenders with new churches to attend, thereby focusing them on Jesus and transforming lives. Paul authored the book "Breaking Out of Prison with Jesus." He was used by the Lord as a beacon of Hope and light to provide a fresh start to so many in need. Well over 90% of the ex-offenders who travelled through CAM's doors never returned to prison and are leading productive lives. He was recognized on multiple occasions for his service by the Hillsborough County Department of Corrections and other government agencies, Paul was especially overwhelmed with gratitude to the CAM Board of Directors and the large number of volunteers who rolled up their sleeves and unselfishly served God and made such a huge difference in people's lives.

Paul was an avid tennis player and golfer, enjoying those sports well into his eighties! He won the Senior Olympics Single's Tennis Award for the State of New Hampshire. He also liked to canoe, bike, cross-country ski and ice skate.

Paul enjoyed spending time with his children, grandchildren and great grandchildren, especially during the Holidays.

Paul is survived by daughter Anne (Michael) Reap, sons Paul (Debbie) Roussel, Peter (Beth) Roussel, and John (Bonnie) Roussel, eleven wonderful grandchildren and eight great grandchildren.

A memorial service celebrating the life of Paul Rene Roussel will be held Saturday August 24, 2024 at 2:00 p.m. at Merrimack Valley Baptist Church, 517 Boston Post Rd., Merrimack NH 03054. Burial services will be held privately.

In lieu of flowers, donations in Paul Rene Roussel's memory may be made via check to Christian Aftercare Ministries, 50 Lowell St, Manchester, NH 03101 or to the Bayada Foundation, 22 Bridge Street, Suite 7, Concord, NH 03301 or via internet at https://www.bayada.com/support

Arrangements have been entrusted to the care of the DRACUT FUNERAL HOME, 2159 Lakeview Ave., DRACUT. Funeral Directors Paul A. Hardy, Jr. & Jennifer Hardy. For online guestbook, visit DRACUTFUNERALHOME.COM and find us on Facebook.