1935 – 2014

SOUTH PARIS — Lloyd Merrill Decato, 79, of South Paris, passed away Monday, Dec. 22, at the Maine Veterans’ Home.

He was born on Nov. 26, 1935, to Richard and Helen Merrill Decato. Lloyd was active in the Norway-Paris community his entire life and was known for his sense of humor, his mischievous smile and his desire to lend a hand.

He graduated from Paris High School in 1954 and Auburn Maine School of Commerce in 1959. He was a member of the U.S. Army, serving in the Korean War.

Much of his career involved accounting. He was the bookkeeper for several local businesses, including A. C. Lawrence Leather Co., Country Way and Gaisford & Preble. He was the treasurer to a number of organizations, including the Oxford Hills Athletic Boosters, Paris Utility District and Riverside Cemetery Association.

He was involved as a banker for over 25 years. As a loan officer, he enjoyed helping people through the loan process, ensuring it was as painless as possible.

He served the town of Paris as a selectman at the age of 32 (which was the youngest at the time) and in his later years, served as the town manager of Greenwood. Lloyd was a volunteer fireman for South Paris, served as the president of the Paris Alumni Association, vice president of the Rotary and attended the First Congregational Church in South Paris.

Lloyd was involved in sports most of his life. He was a member of the 1960 Paris baseball team that reached the quarter finals in the semipro tournament in Battle Creek, Mich. He played softball in the local leagues until he was 45, and loved working with area high schools as a basketball official for over 20 years. He enjoyed watching his children and grandchildren in their various sporting events.

Lloyd loved car racing and was a pit steward at Oxford Plains Speedway. He especially enjoyed traveling to NASCAR races in Martinsville and Dover with David Payne, Ken Farrington, Eddie Niemi and Ken Flanders. He loved life on Norway Lake, where he and Tally lived for 12 years, and also enjoyed the early morning coffee club at Shaner’s Restaurant.

Lloyd will be missed by his wife, Alice “Tally,” of South Paris; son, Richard and his wife, Debra, of Paris; daughter, Joan and partner, Andy Wood, of Hampden; granddaughter, Kyla Decato, of Somerville, Mass.; grandson, Kelvin Decato, of Paris; sister, Janice Guilford and husband, Richard, of South Paris; brother-in-law, George Viles and wife, Nancy Ross, of Sidney; sister-in-law, Dana Decato, of Norway; nieces and nephews, Carole Maynard, Meryl Noel, Chris Decato, Shelby Decato, Abraham Viles and Sarah Ross-Viles; and several great nieces and nephews.

He was predeceased by a brother, Richard “Danny” Decato.

Online condolences may be shared with his family at www.chandlerfunerals.com.

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