1918 – 2013

PORTLAND — Leopold “Paul” Begin was born on Oct. 31, 1918, Paul passed away peacefully on Monday, Oct. 14, at the age of 94.

He was a very outgoing, charismatic individual who was beloved by many and will be missed by all. An identical twin and one of nine boys, Paul had a true entrepreneurial spirit and an enduring love of cars. In 1932, he combined the two and started an auto detailing business. During World War II, Paul joined the Navy and served as the ship’s mailman and a “gunner” during battle in the South Pacific aboard the USS Marathon. After his service, Paul returned to Lewiston and was the first to start an assembly line hand-washing car business in the 1950s. He later went on to expand the business with his son, Paul. In September 1988, Paul went on to start another career at Bates College, working in the dining services area until his retirement in September 2004. He was a past Grand Knight of the Lewiston Council 106 of Knights of Columbus and past President of the Lewiston/Auburn Richelieu Club.

Paul is survived by his wife of 72 years, Yvonne A. Begin, of Portland; as well as his two children, Paul F. Begin and wife, Miriam, of Cape Elizabeth, and Patricia Bacon and husband, Maurice, of Jacksonville, Fla. He also has five grandchildren, six great-grandchildren and a brother, Robert Begin, of Lisbon.

You are invited to share your condolences with the Begin family by visiting their guest book at www.thefortingrouplewiston.com.


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