PITTSFIELD – Paul E. (Bud) Susi Jr., 78, died Tuesday, Dec. 5, at the Sebasticook Valley Nursing Home after a long period of declining health.

He was born in Pittsfield, on Aug. 15, 1928, the son of Paul E. and Mary D. (Cianchette) Susi.

He graduated from Maine Central Institute in 1946, and attended the University of Maine in Orono. In 1951, he married Betty Roberts of Turner. They recently celebrated their 55th wedding anniversary.

He was a construction contractor his entire working life. He was the owner of Susi Construction Corp., which he sold to Tilcon in 1983. He went on to work in the business until this past year, doing what he’d always enjoyed, when ill health forced him to finally retire. He was a member of Associated General Contractors and Maine Good Roads.

He was a lifelong resident of Pittsfield and was dedicated to his community. Always active in local politics, he was the first mayor of Pittsfield, serving from 1971 to 1975. He was a member of Kiwanis and the Masons. His greatest joy was watching his grandchildren grow, and he spent many hours on the sidelines and in the bleachers. He was an avid sports fan who especially loved to hate the Red Sox. His hobby was any good home work project, where he could demonstrate his ability to swear and bleed at the same time, while sharing his knowledge with the younger generations.

In addition to his wife Betty, he is survived by his three children, Mark Susi, and his wife, Kathi, of Pittston, Wendy St. Clair, and her husband, John and Michael Susi, and his wife, Debra, all of Pittsfield; he was the proud grandfather of seven grandchildren, Dana Peppard, and her husband, Ike, Matt Susi, Josh St. Clair, Jamie Meservey, and her husband, Boyce, Andrew St. Clair, Michael Susi and Meredith Susi; his great-grandsons, Parker and Josh; his brother, Robert Susi; and his sister, Marlene Clark.

He was predeceased by his parents; and his sisters, Emma Arena and Janet Valente.