ORONO – Paul J. Reagan enjoyed a life well lived until Aug. 25, 2011. After a sudden battle with cancer, Paul died as he lived, surrounded by his loving family. The son of George and Helen Reagan, Paul was born in Massachusetts. Paul’s warmth and wit created a ripple effect of positive energy among his family, friends and community, and he will be dearly missed by those who had the pleasure to know him.
Paul married his wife, Helen, in 1959 in Massachusetts, worked as a credit manager for Shields and Swank jewelry companies and raised four children. In 1978 Paul followed his entrepreneurial spirit and love of boating to Maine, where he and Helen purchased the paddle and oar factory, Shaw and Tenney, Inc. Paul’s vision turned the company from a wholesale manufacturer to world-renowned retailer of artisan wooden boating supplies. He loved his adopted town of Orono and the people who lived there and always had a joke at the ready for friends and clients. He helmed the company for more than 25 years before retiring in 2003. When he wasn’t keeping himself busy in retirement as a volunteer for Orono Police Department, Penobscot Valley Senior College and Orono Health Association, he enjoyed spending time at the lake camp he built with his son, Tom, and sharing his days with the love of his life, Helen.He is survived by his wife of 52 years, Helen Reagan; his children, Timothy, Thomas and his wife, Christine, Jane, and William and his wife, Stephanie Reagan; his grandchildren, Melissa, Rebecca and Sage; his brother, Jack and wife, Barbara; and sister, Helen Loos.
A memorial service will be held 11 a.m. Aug. 31 at St. John’s Catholic Church, 207 York St., Bangor, with a reception after at Jeff’s Catering, 15 Littlefield Way, Brewer. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to Orono Health Association, P.O. Box 25, Orono, ME 04473 or Penobscot Valley Senior College, 450 Essex St., Bangor, ME 04401.