Paul H. Talley Sr.
SOUTH PARIS – Paul H. Talley Sr. of South Paris, Maine, formally of Wilmington, Delaware, passed away peacefully April 16, 2022 at Stephens Memorial Hospital.
Paul was born to the late William and Sara Talley on Dec. 4, 1935 and raised in Chadds Ford, Pa., lived with his family in Wilmington, Del. and retired to South Paris, Maine.
Paul was a graduate of Brown Technical High School and as a young man entered Carpenters Local Union 626. Paul worked for John E. Healy and Sons and E.J. Deseta Company for many years before being recruited by his two sons to start a general construction and contracting business. Talley Brothers Incorporated was started in 1985 and with Paul’s expertise, Talley Brothers became successful and worked on many of Delaware’s high-profile projects including General Motors, Chrysler, Valero, Christiana Hospital, Brandywine Town Center, Dover Downs and many other projects within the tristate area.
Throughout his life Paul was also involved in community projects in Delaware. One notable project, the installation of Our Lady, Queen of Peace statue, it stands alongside Holy Spirit Church in New Castle and is visible to all who travel over the Delaware Memorial Bridge and Interstate 295. Paul was also a founding member of the Delaware Military Academy in Wilmington. As a member of the school’s board, he helped guide DMA to success which is the only charter high school in the Unites States based on the traditions, values and ideals of the U.S. Navy.
Paul had a great sense of humor, enjoyed baseball, a good game of golf and horse racing at Brandywine Raceway and Delaware Park. Paul was generous and was always there to lend a hand. He was well-respected and loved by everyone.
He loved chocolate and as far as he was concerned any dessert without chocolate was missing an ingredient.
He was a long-time member of his beloved St. Mary Magdalene Church, Wilmington, which he built. He was very generous with contributions, time and architectural and engineering feats.
Paul enjoyed 65 years of marriage to his wife Anita Collette Talley.
Paul is survived by his wife Anita of South Paris; his children, Jean-Marie Jones and husband Randy, Doreen Becker and partner Scott, Paul Tally Jr. and wife Sue, David Talley and wife Andrea; grandchildren, Christopher, Daniel, Benjamin, Randall, Melissa, Alexandra, Joshua, Jacob, Maria, Matthew, Jordan and Nicholas; and many great-grandchildren.
A Mass of Christian burial will be celebrated on Monday, April 25 at 11 a.m., St. Catherine of Sienna Church, Paris Street, Norway with interment to follow at Pleasant Valley Cemetery, South Paris. Family and friends may call at the Chandler Funeral Home and Cremation Service, 45 Main Street, South Paris on Sunday, April 24 from 1 – 3 p.m. Online condolences may be shared with his family and the funeral mass will be live streamed on his obituary page at http://www.chandlerfunerals.com
A memorial service will be held at St. Mary Magdalene Church in Wilmington, Delaware to celebrate his life at a future date.