Below is an obituary from Nichols Funeral Home:
WILMINGTON, MA — Paul J. St. Hilaire, Sr., age 85, of Naples, FL, formerly of Wilmington and North Andover, passed away peacefully following a brief battle with cancer at the Mass. General Hospital in Boston on October 28, 2024.
Paul was born in Wilmington, MA, on August 24, 1939; he was the cherished only son of the late Ronaldo and Jeannette (Clairmont) St. Hilaire. Paul was raised and educated in Wilmington where he made many life-long friends and graduated from Wilmington High School with the Class of 1957.
After High School, Paul served in the United States Army overseas in Germany as a Crew Chief in their helicopter unit. Paul had many experiences rescuing people and was even sent out to bring back Elvis Presley while he was on duty to visit his future wife Priscilla who was visiting the Army Barracks. Paul was proud to serve our country; in 1960, following his active duty deployment, he was honorably discharged and he returned home to his family but continued to serve with the Army Reserves until February of 1963.
Paul married and raised three wonderful children; the family lived in Tewksbury for several years before moving back to Wilmington. Paul enjoyed living in his Tewksbury neighborhood; he looked forward to his yearly stint playing Santa Claus for all the kids in the neighborhood. Paul loved to bring joy and excitement to the kids.
Paul was a kind and generous man who worked hard to provide for his family and was well known for his “can do” workaholic attitude as he started his career building and remodeling homes to hone his talents. Paul quickly became a very successful builder and developer and built many fine homes throughout the Merrimack Valley and in Andover and North Andover communities. Paul also showcased his own creations as a Real Estate Agent and Broker; his endearing personality and no pressure attitude made him also quite successful as a realtor. Paul was even still selling houses as he entered the emergency room this past week; still trying to close a deal.
Paul worked hard but he also played hard; he was an avid golfer who enjoyed playing on various courses throughout the country and making many friends along the way. Paul also loved to go on cruises and travel all over the world; he looked forward to seeing new places, meeting new people, and experiencing new cultures.
Paul will be fondly remembered for many things; he had a love for life, a great sense of humor and an adventurous spirit. He was a “people person” with an endearing personality who was kind and generous to everyone. Paul was a very successful and a shrewd businessman who was willing to teach others as they started their careers. Most of all he loved his family and friends with all his heart and will forever be missed by all.
Paul was the beloved long-time companion of Linda Jeske, dear father of Lisa St. Hilaire and her husband Don Cameron of Gardiner, ME, Scott St. Hilaire of Richmond, CA, and the late Paul St. Hilaire, Jr., “Papa” of Nick Cameron, Autumn St. Hilaire, her husband Jack Mulcahey and their son Tiernan Paul, and Marine Sergeant Audra St. Hilaire. Brother of Mary Ann Giordani of Hingham and Dorothy Allen of Wilmington. Paul is further survived by his nieces, nephews, and friends.
Family and friends will gather at the Nichols Funeral Home, 187 Middlesex Ave. (Rte. 62), Wilmington, MA, on Friday, November 1st for Visitation from 3:00-5:00 p.m. followed by a Service at 5:00 p.m. which will conclude with Military Honors.
In lieu of flowers, donations in Paul’s memory may be made to the National Alliance for Mental Health (NAMI), PO Box 49104, Baltimore, MD 21297 or to the JED Foundation, Attn: Development Dept., PO Box 412945, Boston, MA 02241-2945.
To leave a message of condolence for the family please visit our website at www.nicholsfuneralhome.com.
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