FLORIDA – William Paul Deschene, 80, of North Fort Myers, Fla., and formerly of Lewiston, Maine, passed away in Cape Coral, Fla., at the Hope Hospice, surrounded by family on Monday, Feb. 18, 2019. He was born on June 17, 1938, in Brunswick, Maine, to William (Pat) and Yvonne (Michaud) Deschene. Paul grew up in Lisbon, Maine, and he married his Saint Dominic’s High School sweetheart, Jacqueline Cloutier in 1959. They raised their four children together (Donald, Ronald, Denise, and Paul) in Jay, Maine. Paul excelled in hockey, baseball, and football during high school that earned him a scholarship to Norwich University. At Norwich University he excelled in his academics as well as on the ice as an All-American defenseman on the university hockey team. Paul graduated from Norwich in 1960 with a degree in business management with a focus in economics. Paul was commissioned upon his graduation as a second lieutenant in the U.S. Army as an armor officer and was stationed at Fort Knox, Ky. He eventually landed a job as a papermaker and worked for International Paper, Madison Industries, and JWI/Asten Paper Industries and retired after his 40-plus years working in the paper industry. As an industry leader, he personally supervised and built five paper machines from the ground up. Late in his career, he worked as a consultant solving paper manufacturing process problems in the U.S., Canada, England, Finland, and the Soviet Union. Paul enjoyed golf, following Jacqueline to numerous activities, and spending time with his children and grandchildren. Paul spent the past three years at Pacifica Senior Living Facility, a memory care home in Fort Myers, Fla., as part of his final life’s transition.He is survived by his beloved wife of 59 years, Jacqueline; children, Donald (Barbara), Ronald (Allison), Denise (Timothy Mitchell), and Paul (Lori); nine grandchildren; two great-grandchildren; and many nieces and nephews.The family will greet friends at the Albert & Burpee Funeral Home, 253 Pine St., Lewiston, Maine, on Saturday, Feb. 23, from 10 a.m.-12:20 p.m., a Mass of Christian Burial will be held at Holy Family Church at 1 p.m., followed by committal prayers at St. Peter’s Cemetery, concluding with military honors. Condolences and donations may be accessed online at www.albert-burpee.com “May the GOD of hope fill you with all joy and peace as you trust in him, so that you may overflow with hope by the power of the Holy Spirit.”- Romans 15:13Donations can be made in his memory to:Saint Dominic’s AcademyOffice of Advancement121 Gracelawn RoadAuburn, ME 04210