1929 – 2013

PUTNAM, Conn. — Paul Jean Fournier, 84, a resident of Dayville, Conn., and formerly of Maine, passed away peacefully, Wednesday, Aug. 28, at Day Kimball Hospital.

He was born in Jay on March 1, 1929, the son of Emile J. and Annie (Gallant) Fournier. He attended school in Jay and served in the U.S. Air Force during Korean War. On Sept. 1, 1959, in Jay, he married Anita Theresa Giasson of Rumford. She passed away May 1, 1992. He later met and married Lorraine (Butts) Bourque of Killingly, Conn., and they were married on Orrs Island at Felix Fournier’s camp.

They made their home in Florida for 17 years, moving Connecticut last year. Paul was a native Mainer with a long career in the Maine woods, starting out as a registered Maine Guide and bush pilot, sporting camp owner, nature photographer and videographer, a television producer and a longtime official with the Maine Department of Inland Fisheries and Wildlife.

For 20 years, he was the public information officer for the Maine Department of Inland Fisheries and Wildlife. Paul was the author of “Tales from Misery Ridge: One man’s adventures in the great outdoors,” his first book about his experiences and adventures in Maine’s great north woods and beyond, and he recently finished his second book, “Birds of a Feather.” He also produced a weekly television program, “Maine Fish and Wildlife,” for the Maine Public Broadcasting Network.

He also wrote and photographed extensively for a number of magazines, including Audubon, Natural History, National Geographic, Yankee, Down East, Field & Stream and Outdoor Life, among others. He was a member of the New England Outdoor Writers Association.

Paul is survived by his loving wife and children, Lorraine Fournier of Dayville, Conn.; children, Deborah Panteleakos and her husband, Timothy, of Dayville, Conn., Brian Bourque and his wife, Candace, of Pomfret, Conn., and David Bourque and his wife, Lynn, of Woodstock, Conn.; six grandchildren, Randy, Jason, Justin, Natalie, Noah and Luke; four great-grandchildren, Lauren, Cadence, Christopher and Evelyn; brother, Felix Fournier and his wife, Rita, of Orrs Island; Gene Fournier and his wife, Dorothy, of Orrington; sister, Pamela Gould of Farmington; and sister-in-law, Helen Fournier of Saco.

He was predeceased by his wife, Anita Fournier; brother, Rene Fournier; and sister, Lila Cote.

Messages of condolence may be sent to www.finleyfuneralhome.com.