Paul L. Redonnett, 72, of Newcastle, passed away after a long illness on Aug. 8. A loving husband and devoted father and grandfather, he was the only son of the late Harriet Brown Redonnett and Clifton Carter Redonnett. Paul was born in Damariscotta on Oct. 23, 1935. He grew up in Bristol Mills and attended Longfellow Elementary School and Bristol High School (class of 1954). He married Marjorie Curtis in 1956.
As a child, Paul spent many hours helping in his father’s portable saw mill, breeding dogs and goats, and building a motorized bicycle; he enjoyed telling many stories of those early adventures.
His early work career started hauling local Christmas trees and freight to Boston, station attendant at City Service Filling Station on Main Street in Damariscotta and ice packer at Salt Water Farms. He began his carpentry career with Brewer’s Boatyard in Southport, and later worked for Paul Abbott of Boothbay, and Hatch Brothers in Damariscotta in the 1960s. In 1965, he was urged by local contractors to go to flooring school (sponsored by John Sproul of Sproul’s Furniture). He attended Armstrong Flooring School in Pennsylvania, carpet school in Melbourne, Fla., and worked evenings and weekends as a floor mechanic until 1970 when he opened Paul s Flooring in Newcastle. Paul loved his work and enjoyed the many people he worked with over the years.
He served as a proud member of Newcastle Fire Company for 50 plus years. In his early years, he achieved rank of Assistant Fire Chief, Fire police officer, and in his later years, he manned the station, ensuring that there was always a pot of strong coffee waiting.
As a teenager, Paul had a short-lived hobby racing stock cars and he thoroughly enjoyed Wiscasset Raceway. Over the years, Paul’s Flooring, Inc. sponsored various local stock car drivers.
He was a member and Trustee of the Damariscotta Baptist Church.
Paul enjoyed family events, potluck suppers, picnics, horse pulling, model railroading, amateur weather forecasting, fishing, going out on his son-in-law’s lobster boat, and woodworking (inspired by his early work with Cole’s Woodworking on Academy Hill); he was a huge fan of local country music and avid cribbage master.
Always ready with a story, joke or song, Paul’s sense of humor and practical joking made for much laughter and the occasional eye rolling. He thought life should be lived to the fullest and encouraged the same in his family.
Paul was predeceased by his parents and maternal and paternal grandparents, Lawrence and Myrtle Brown and May and John Redonnett.
He is survived by his wife of 52 years, Marjorie of Newcastle; two sons, Brian Redonnett and wife Rosa of Bristol Mills and Corey Redonnett and wife Jennifer of Walpole; daughter, Greta Bickford and husband Brian of Pemaquid Harbor; grandchildren, Kiley, Lucas, Avery and Maya; and many cousins.
Friends and family are invited to call 5-7 p.m., Fri., Aug. 15 at the Strong Funeral Home, 612 Main St., Damariscotta. Service honoring Paul 11 a.m., Sat., Aug. 16 at the funeral home, with Daryl Lavway officiating. He will be laid to rest at the Bristol Mills Cemetery, following the service.
In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to the Newcastle Fire Company, Attn: Treasurer, Bruce Jackson, P.O. Box 270, Newcastle, ME 04553, and the Damariscotta Baptist Church Landmark Steeple Fund, Attn: Mitchell Wellman, The First National Bank of Damariscotta, P.O. Box 940, Damariscotta, ME 04543.
Arrangements are entrusted to the care of the Strong Funeral Home and Cremation Center, Damariscotta.
