Eugene N. Paione

LEWISTON – Eugene N. Paione, 86, formerly of Delcliff Lane, Lewiston, died Sunday, Nov. 20, 2022. Born in Newark, NJ, on August 24, 1936, Gene was the son of Angelo and Argie Balasso Paione.

He graduated from New York Military Academy in 1955, where he was Captain of Company A. He then went on to serve his country in the U.S. Navy, and upon completing his military duty went to work in the family business, Paragon Glass Works. Paragon made and distributed high quality Christmas ornaments throughout the United States. It was at Paragon that Gene met the love of his life, Sarah Franey, and they married on June 7, 1958. A year later Paragon moved its operations to Lewiston, where Gene and Sarah established their home and began to raise their family. In 1974, Gene left the family business to pursue a career in the automobile industry, culminating with his owning and operating a Toyota dealership in Topsham and a Ford dealership in Waldoboro. After selling his dealerships, Gene continued to work in automotive sales for various dealerships until his retirement in 2011.

Gene was known for his quick wit and for his unique sense of humor. Gene enjoyed time with family and especially loved family BBQs and lobster bakes. He was fond of being at the ocean or behind the wheel of one of his convertibles roaming the country roads of New England with Sarah by his side.

Survivors include a daughter, Christine M. Giasson of Lewiston, sons Eugene N. Paione Jr. of Lewiston, Edward (Janet) Paione of Auburn, Tony (Gail) Paione of Lewiston, and Evan (Mary-Ellen) Paione of Durham; a sister, June Paione Lagerson of Auburn; five grandchildren, Melissa Paione of Auburn, Andrew Paione of Lewistown, Pa., Olivia Paione of Summerville, S.C., Emily (Kaleb) Davis of Minot, and Ryan (Haylee) Paione of West Gardiner; and a great-grandchild, Kinsley Paione of Pennsylvania.

Besides his parents, Gene was predeceased by his wife Sarah in 2018; son Andrew in 1980; brother Ernest in 1994, and two sisters, Elizabeth Cooper in 2012 and Dorothy Powers this past May.

Services will be private, and interment with military honors will be in the spring at Mt. Hope Cemetery.

The family wishes to thank the staff of Montello Manor/Commons, especially those involved with Gene’s hospice care.

Memories may be shared online at http://www.albert-burpee.com. Arrangements under the care of the Albert & Burpee Funeral Home, Lewiston, 207-782-7201.

In lieu of flowers, gather your family together this holiday season and raise a glass in Gene’s memory


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