RUMFORD – Albert A. Paul (“Harpo”, “Red”), Rumford’s Citizen of the Year, 2005 to 2006, died at the Rumford Hospital on July 29.

He was born in Rumford, on July 5, 1918, son of Maris Stella (Harvey) and Charles Paul. He had been a member and communicant of St. Athanasius-St. John Church all of his life. He was a member of the K of C, 3rd Degree.

He graduated from Stephens High School, Class of 1938. During high school, he was the center for the high school football team, which won the State Class A Championship, 1937.

At age 18, he joined the National Guard Co. B. The Maine National Guard was called to active duty Feb. 24, 1941. Co. B, 103rd Infantry, and 43rd Division U.S. Army served in the South Pacific the entire war. Battles he participated in included Guadalcanal, the Philippines, New Guinea, New Caledonia, the Solomons, and the Mariannas. While in New Guinea, he used his knowledge of the French language to act as an interpreter. He was honorably discharged in 1945, with a rank of staff sergeant.

After the war, “Red” served as the leader for the military color guard and firing squad that provided military honors at all the funerals in the Rumford and Mexico area for servicemen whose bodies were returned home for burial after World War II and the Korean War.

His expertise in march and drill caught the attention of Father Menahan of St. Athanasius School. Father asked him to be the drill master of the school’s band, an offer he accepted. He was proud of the band and it won many awards for their skills.

After the war, “Harpo” returned to work at the Oxford Paper Co. He retired in 1982, after 38 years as a papermaker.

He was a life member of the Robert Shand VFW Post 1641. Since becoming a member in 1942, he held many offices including post commander twice. He also held district, state and national offices including commander District 9, state of Maine; Maine State Junior vice commander; National Finance Committee; and he was Aide-de-Camp to the national commander. He had been honored by the Robert Shand Post of Rumford and the Norway-South Paris VFW for his dedicated service to all veterans and their causes and for his promotion of patriotism in the community.

For more than 50 years, he had coordinated the Rumford/Mexico Veteran’s Day parades, with the last being in 1999. After that, he suggested to the veterans that they change their course to the high school auditorium for Veterans Day survivors. The change has been well-accepted by the citizens of both towns.

In 1990, he developed the idea of a Veterans Memorial Mass on the Sunday before Veterans Day. This Mass honors all veterans, but especially those from the area that have died in the past year.

He is also a member of the Napoleon Ouellette American Legion Post 24.

For 13 years, he served on the Maine State Veterans’ Coordinating Committee. He always was active in the support of all veterans’ needs and their services. He led a letter writing campaign to Maine’s senators and representatives to intervene and keep services at Togus for Maine’s veterans.

Also while a member of the MSVCC he developed the idea to have the state of Maine have license plates designating “Veteran” available to veterans. He presented his idea to the committee and they supported him with the plan. He then spoke before the state Senate Committee on Veterans’ Affairs. Senator McCormick from South Portland, also a veteran, proudly supported the bill, which was quickly passed. The license plates bearing the red “V” now designate Maine veterans. When offered one of the first plates, he declined stating, “I’m not special; I’m a veteran just like all the others who served.”

After his tenure on the MSVCC, he joined the newly organized Western Maine Veterans’ Coordinating Committee and was elected vice-chair and held that position since. The WMVCC raises funds to support year round activities for the veterans and their families at the South Paris, Maine Veterans’ Home. The committee also provides a platform for speakers to provide information on services available to veterans.

In 2003, he developed the idea for a trip for veterans to the World War II Memorial Dedication in Washington, D.C., May 2004. Along with Loretta Bard, RN, at the Rumford VA clinic, they planned and organized the trip. 100 Maine veterans from World War II, Korean War, Vietnam and Desert Storm, and a few family members were able to attend and participate in the dedication honoring “The Greatest Generation.”

He always loved sports. He was an excellent skier – his first skis were barrel stays. For years, he was a member of the Chisholm Ski Club. He skied until the age of 82, at which time an acute illness left his legs weak. He remained an avid football fan (thanks to TV) and also followed the local high school team closely. He loved to play golf and belonged to the Oakdale Country Club.

In 2005, he was selected Citizen of the Year by the Rumford selectman. He was so proud and honored when chosen.

He was married to Rita Elliott Paul, who died in October 1987.

He is survived by his daughter, Patricia Paul of Winslow; his kid brother, “Knute” Francis Paul of Montana,; stepson, Michael Errington, and wife, Pat, of Melbourne, Fla.; stepdaughter, Sylvia Cross, and husband, Roger, of Pace, Fla.; brothers-in-law, Bill Elliott, and wife, Alicia, of West Melbourne, Fla., and Roxbury Pond, and Joe Elliott, and wife, Martha, of Rumford; six grandchildren, Lee, Robert, Christinalyn, Shannon, Jason and Nathan; five great-grandchildren, Corey, Victoria, Callie, Megan and Courtney; special neighbors, Matt Burnham and family, Glendon Thurston and family and Asa and Gail Maynard.

He was predeceased by his wife, Rita; his parents; his brothers, Stanley, Gerard, Raymond, Harvey C., Edmund, Norman, Charles, Harvey O.; his sister, Theresa; his grandson and namesake, Paul Albert H. Cote.

His pride in and respect for the flag that he defended, love of the country of his birth and his hometown, and his genuine concern for the dignity of all veterans was evident to all who knew him.