Obituary of Harold Joseph Paon

On January 23, 2022, Harold Paon, 88 years old, of Poulamon, passed away in St. Martha’s Regional Hospital, Antigonish, due to complications from a massive stroke. We, his family, are grateful to have shared his life and will forever miss his positive and loving nature, sense of humour, kindness, and generosity. Dad was born on July 7, 1933, in Martinique, N.S., the son of Thomas Patrick Paon and Elizabeth Marie (Young) Paon. As a young man, Dad worked in Oakville, Ontario, and then owned a convenience store in Halifax, where he renewed his acquaintance with Phyllis Fougere, a classmate from his school days in Poulamon. On August 12, 1961, they married and would eventually raise three daughters and share 60 happy years together. Over the past four years, Dad took great delight in his grandson, “my little Cullen”, playing and talking with him about boats, cars, trucks, backhoes, and excavators. In 1961, Dad was recruited to work as a painter during the construction of Nova Scotia Forest Industries Pulp & Paper Mill in Point Tupper, NS. By upgrading his education, he became a maintenance carpenter and contributed to the mill’s operation (newly named Stora) for 30 years. A member of Canadian Paperworkers Union Local 972, Dad cherished his friendships with mill co-workers, and after retirement, took every opportunity to connect with them. Dad used his entrepreneurial skills to renovate and rent buildings, including several houses and the old Poulamon schoolhouse, the latter of which he converted to apartments. A skilled and versatile tradesman, Dad did much of the building maintenance himself. He was creative and resourceful and took great pride in his work, which ranged from building two houses, an open boat, skiffs, furniture, and smaller items such as jewelry boxes and doll cases. An avid boater, Dad was a founding member and director of the Lennox Passage Yacht Club, first with the Minnie & Winston and later with the motor cruiser Maggie. On a sunny, flat calm morning, he would gaze out at Poulamon Harbour and exclaim, “What a day, what a day!” as he anticipated an excursion on the water. Dad was an outdoor enthusiast - he loved fishing, digging clams, cutting firewood, gardening, downhill skiing, and skating. He was game to try anything - even giving water skiing a go. Over the years, he and Mom enjoyed adventures together: snowmobiling with friends, travelling, and more recently taking walks in Martinique Park and Sunday drives. He appreciated life’s simple pleasures. Dad valued community and actively led by example through his involvement in local organizations. A devout member of St. Hyacinth’s Catholic Church in D’Escousse, he was a past president of Parish Council, member of the Cemetery Committee, Eucharistic minister, and for many years, circulated the collection basket at mass. He was a member of the D’Escousse Civic Improvement Society, had been involved in the local Credit Union, and was a former school board trustee. He was knowledgeable about local and family history, willingly contributing his insights to anyone who sought information. Above all, family was the most important part of Dad’s life. After his mother was widowed at a very young age, he was fortunate to grow up with the support of loving relatives. From them, he developed a strong spiritual faith and learned the importance of giving and nurturing relationships, which he carried forward as he raised his own children. He was a devoted husband, father, and grandfather, and he was delighted when everyone could be together. He was our mentor and most enthusiastic cheerleader and was generous with his time when we needed assistance. As an extension of family, Dad fostered close relationships with those around him, providing support to friends in times of crisis or just sharing a joke over a glass of rum. He could tell a good story and use a well-timed punchline to make people laugh. Within minutes of meeting a stranger, he would discover they had something in common and quickly gain a new friend. He genuinely wanted people to be happy and to enjoy their time together. Harold was predeceased by father Thomas Patrick Paon, mother Elizabeth Marie (Young) Paon, brothers Alfred (deceased 2017) and Alfred (deceased in infancy), brother-in-law Wallie Fougere (Doris), sisters-in-law Exie Poirier (Teddy), and Helen Pettipas (Stan). Left to mourn are his wife Phyllis (Fougere), daughters Michelle, Leanne, and Lisa (Tim Bryan), grandson Cullen Paon-Bryan, and sister-in-law Marie Paon, along with many nieces, nephews, grand-nieces, and grand-nephews. He will also be missed by his feline companions Casey and Tigger. We wish to express our appreciation to the medical staff of St. Martha’s Hospital Stroke and Palliative Care Units for the care and compassion they provided to Dad during his brief illness. Our sincere thanks to the nursing staff and their colleagues, to Dr. Rod MacNeil, Fr. Andrew, Sister Catherine MacGillivray, the staff of the Claymore Inn and Suites, and many others for their support. Cremation has taken place. Funeral mass will take place in Our Lady of Assumption Church, Arichat on July 9th, 2022 at 11am with Rev. John DeCoste officiating. Memorial donations may be made to the Heart & Stroke Foundation, St. Martha’s Regional Hospital Palliative Care Unit, or a charity of your choice.