LEWISTON – Paul A. Choate, 79, of South Witham Road, Auburn, died unexpectedly Thursday, Aug. 16, at St. Mary’s Medical Center, surrounded by his family.

He was born on Aug. 23, 1927, in Waterville, the son of John F. Choate and Bertha (Cobb) Choate and graduated as valedictorian from Winslow High School in 1943, having played football and tennis and several instruments in the band.

He attended Colby College for a year-and-a-half and served in the National Guard in Waterville during that time.

On Aug. 22, 1945, the day before his 18th birthday, he entered the Navy. After his discharge, he returned to Colby and graduated in 1948. He attended Boston University Law School and graduated in 1951, fulfilling the dream he had held from the age of 7.

He married Virginia Yorke in 1950, and they moved to Auburn in 1951. They had three children. He opened his own law practice above Mechanics Saving Bank on Main Street in Auburn, taking over the law practice of George C. Wing Jr. Shortly thereafter, he became partners with Frank Linnell, focusing his practice on corporate law, real estate and probate. He retired from Linnell, Choate & Webber in December 1993.

His wife, Virginia, predeceased him, and in December 1993, he married Irene F. Clements and gained a second family. They traveled frequently to many states to visit the family.

Singing was an important part of his life. He sang in Augusta and Lewiston with a Masonic Quartet, succeeding his father in leading it. He sang bass in his church choir since November 1951 and was also songleader for many years for the Kiwanis Club. His children remember learning a great variety of songs while riding in the car with him.

He was always very active in the community. He served as a corporator at Mechanics Savings Bank for many years and currently was the the chairman of the board of trustees.

He was a 55-year member at High Street Congregational Church, having served on various boards and committees. He was a past master of the local Masonic lodge, a member of Androscoggin Valley Square and Compass Club and Scottish Rite. He was also a 55-year member of the Auburn-Lewiston Kiwanis Club, having perfect attendance for more than 40 years. He served on the Auburn Planning Board and was its chairman for much of that time.

When Edward Little High School relocated to Auburn Heights about 1961, he was on the building committee that directed its planning and construction.

He loved his cottage on Snow Pond in Oakland, which his grandfather built in 1925. He spent many hours boating and water skiing with the family, watching the loons and reading. He was active in Troop 137, sponsored by High Street Congregational Church, and for many years they took the Boy Scouts on a hike, most often to Mount Katahdin. He continued to hike Mount Katahdin each June right up to this year, missing only once or twice in the last 50+ years.

He is survived by his widow, Irene; his children, Martha (Roger) Chabot and their children, Aaron, Adrien and his wife, Katie, Breanna (Daniel) Allard, and Rhaina Chabot; Elizabeth Choate and her partner, Brian Curtis, and her two children, Celena (Nathan) Gardner, and her three children, Zakery Fraser, Alexander and Casper Gardner, and Joshua Goudreau; Andrew (Karen) Choate and their three children, Rebekah, Ruth and Thomas. He is also survived by Irene’s children and their families: George F. (Bianca) Clements and their two children, George (Adrienne) Clements, and Gregory; John F. (Jane) Clements Jr. and their two children, Jessica and John III; Mary Clements (Robert) Pajak and their two children, Tristan (Lisa) Kippax and Kathryn; Mark F. (Margaret) Clements and their four children, Meghan, Mark Jr., Maureen and Meredyth; Keith F. (Allison) Clements; Kevin F. (Judy) Clements and their two children, Christopher and Justin; Stephen F. (Lilly) Clements and their four children, Caitlin, Carley, Stephen Jr., and Teague. Other survivors include his brothers, David A. (Diane) Choate of Denver, Colo., Stanley F. (Ina) Choate, of Catonsville, Md., and Philip S. Choate, of Augusta; his sister, Jane (John) McKeen, of Scarborough, Margaret Choate of Brewer, and Robert Trahan of Fairfield, Pa.; as well as many nieces and nephews.

He was predeceased by his parents; two stepmothers, Antoinette Choate and Hope Choate; his brother, John S. Choate; and his sister, Constance E. Trahan.

He was deeply loved by his family and highly respected by those who knew him.