LEWISTON – Paul F. Chiarantona, 69, of Lewiston passed away peacefully at his home Saturday, March 22, after a long illness surrounded by his loving family.

He was born in Mineola, N.Y., on May 3, 1938, the son of Michael J. and Mildred (Licitra) Chiarantona. He was a U.S. Navy veteran serving from 1955 to 1959.

On May 10, 1958, he married the former Mona LeBlanc. He was the co-owner and operator of Mario’s Pizza of Lisbon Falls, with his longtime friend, Tony Cimato. He also worked for Continental Baking Co. as a salesman.

He graduated from the Maine State Police Academy while employed by the Lewiston Police Department, retiring in 1977, due to disability. He was a lifetime member of the Elks Lodge, member of the Basilica of Saints Peter and Paul.

He received a double lung transplant in 1996, in St. Louis, Mo. Prior to this, he volunteered at the Cardio Pulmonary Rehab at St. Mary’s Regional Medical Center for two years. He later became a volunteer driver for Community Concepts.

He enjoyed life to the fullest and loved traveling with his family and friends, especially trips to Florida and Aruba. He also enjoyed dining out, playing cards and performing card tricks for his grandchildren. Many good memories will be shared by all who knew him. He was a great listener and the rock of the family.

Besides his loving and caring wife Mona, he his survived by a very supportive son, Michael G. Chiarantona of Scarborough; a devoted daughter who helped with his care for many years, Gina and her husband, Mark Dick, of Lewiston; a brother, Vincent and his wife, Josephine, of Vero Beach, Fla.; a sister, Angela and her husband, William Johnson, of Sanford, N.C.; a brother, Richard Chiarantona of Miami, Fla.; a special sister and brother-in-law, Maurice and Romance Gagne of Lewiston; mother-in-law Gabrielle Plante of Lewiston; four grandchildren, Jessica Chiarantona and her fiancé, Jake Plattner, of Boston, Jennifer Chiarantona of Scarborough, James Chappell of Lewiston and Paul M. Chiarantona of Scarborough; two stepgrandchildren, Abby and Patrick Dick of South Portland; and many uncles, aunts, cousins, nieces, nephews and special friends.

He was predeceased by his parents, Michael J. and Mildred (Licitra) Chiarantona; and his two father-in-laws, Rosaire J. Plante and Gaudiose LeBlanc.