Paul Thomas Soucie

WILTON – Paul Thomas Soucie, 75, of Wilton, passed away early Saturday morning June 27, 2026, with his wife and sister-in-law by his side, after battling PSP (Progressive Supranuclear Palsy) for four years.

Paul was born in Old Town, on Nov. 9, 1950, to Alice and Gerald Soucie. Growing up as a devout Catholic, he attended St. Joseph’s Catholic School in Old Town and then went on to Old Town High School, graduating in 1969. During high school, Paul developed his music skills and was part of several bands (Sound Wave Incorporated, Badge, Jacob’s Ladder) and played at local venues. Shortly before graduating from Old Town High School, Paul met the love of his life, Valerie Welch of Orono. During his junior year of college, they married in January 1972.

After graduating in 1969, he went on to attend the University of Maine. During college, Paul was still a very active member of several bands playing various gigs in the region as well as a solid student in the Political Science program. While attending the University of Maine, he continued to use income from his gigs to subsidize his college costs. The challenging college years were spent working in music and studying. One of the regular gigs was at the Anchorage Lounge where his band played five nights per week. He also had a regular gig at the Greenville Inn in the early ’70s. Paul graduated from University of Maine in May 1973 with a degree in public management. He continued at the University of Maine to earn his master’s degree in Public Administration. Right out of college, music once again became Paul’s occupation as part of the bands “Clean Slate” and “Paragon” working at various nightclubs across Aroostook County. One particular night club was the “Plymouth Hotel” in Fort Fairfield, which encountered a flash flood one evening. The band had to move all the equipment to the second floor before the gig even started. The band stayed on the upper floors of the hotel for two nights and held a gig from the second floor until the flooding went down. This was his first time dealing with floods.

Soon Paul ventured into public administration, becoming the town manager in Ashland, and starting his journey across the state, managing various towns while also starting a family. At the end of 1974, Paul and Valerie became proud parents to a baby boy, Michael.

Paul was also an avid golfer; he developed his love for golf during high school playing regularly at local golf courses until he started having symptoms of PSP. He played at Wilson Lake in Wilton for almost 40 years and was also part of the senior golf group.

After a short stay as the town manager of Ashland, Paul became the town manager of Greenbush, Islesboro, Livermore Falls, and finally Wilton. During the town management journey, the family grew when Carole was born in early 1977. Some highlights from Paul’s years in public administration include being an active member of the Rotary Club, the Lions club, the Franklin Memorial Hospital Board of Directors, as well as the Androscoggin Home Care and Hospice Board.

At this time the town was initiating the important process of Kineowatha Park becoming Wilton owned, leading the town of Wilton during the challenging flood of 1987 (his second time dealing with floods), and building a new (current) fire station in Wilton after the flood. The town manager occupation became much more stressful at this time. Having to deal with FEMA during this time resulted in Paul’s desire to change careers.

For his second act, he became a mortgage lender at Livermore Falls Trust Company (LFTC). LFTC was a great move filled with lots of success for Paul; he greatly enjoyed the four-day work week celebrating the new trend. While at LFTC, Paul was very active with Issacson Lumber during the company’s expansion. During this time, tragedy struck the family when Carole passed away due to a car accident in May 1997. In her memory, friends and family built the swim cabin at Kineowatha Park where she previously worked as a swim instructor, under the direction of Butch Weed.

Androscoggin Savings Bank (ASB) bought LFTC in 1999 which caused some changes for Paul; but he was a solid contributor as always. Paul became a vice president at ASB and the leader of the government banking division. During his years at ASB he was a board member for Androscoggin Home Health for over 10 years. One rewarding project was the building of the Androscoggin Hospice House (now Andwell) in Auburn, the first free standing hospice location in Maine.

During the banking years Paul became an active member of Wilson Lake CC, playing very often during the warmer months. He was also able to teach his son how to play and impart wisdom to him in all areas of the game, except putting (as Valerie will attest to).

After being a loyal member of Wilson Lake CC for 38 years, Paul had lots of stories from his golf travels. He was a loyal member of the Tom Weigle, Gordie Flint, and John Cureton foursome. One spring activity for Paul was the Redneck Road golf trips, organized by Tom, where Paul made lots of golf memories for over 10 years. One year, towards the end of his golf career, he accidently fell into a brook on the 18th hole due to balance issues caused by PSP. Paul was completely covered in mud and was lucky no alligators were nearby; however, after showering and changing his muddy clothes, he showed extreme passion in returning to the course that same day to complete his round. He still managed to play another nine holes in a scramble format that afternoon; he played a total of 27 holes that day which he did every day during those trips.

After working hard for LFTC/ASB for 22 years, Paul retired from banking in 2016. One fond memory was his surprise retirement party at LaFleur’s restaurant where Michael, who lives in Croatia, surprised his father as the waiter bringing his Amaretto to the table.

Many family and friends celebrated his outstanding working career that day as he “retired the tie”.

Paul is survived by his loving wife Valerie; his son, Michael and wife Sanda, Michael’s daughters, Tiana and Lana from his first marriage, and Sanda’s daughters, Ira, Nika, and Tara; his brother, Mark and wife Lori, his sister, Joyce Gagner and husband Dan; and close sister-in-law, Holly Lindquist; several cousins, nieces, and nephews, not to mention all of the in-laws, too numerous to count.

He was predeceased by his mother and father, Alice and Gerald; and daughter, Carole.

Our thanks to Valerie’s sister, Holly Lindquist, son Michael, brother Mark Soucie and wife Lori, sister, Joyce, and husband Dan Gagner, and friends, Ken French, Mary Sirois and Rick Wells for their assistance with Paul and household issues during the final year of his illness. Dani Valliere, care-giver extraordinaire, assisted Valerie and Holly in caring for Paul at home as did nurses and CNAs from Andwell Hospice. Many thanks, ladies.

A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated, Wednesday, July 8 at 11 a.m., from St. Joseph’s Catholic Church, Middle Street, Farmington, followed by a reception at the Parish Hall. Relatives and friends are invited to call Tuesday from 4 to 7 p.m., at the Wiles Remembrance Center, 137 Farmington Falls Road, Farmington. Interment will be at Lakeview Cemetery in Wilton.

Memories and a memorial video may be shared in his Book of Memories at http://www.wilesrc.com.

If you wish to, in lieu of flowers, feel free to send donations to the

Carole A. Soucie Memorial Scholarship at

Plymouth State University

Holmes Alumni House

17 High St. MSC 50

Plymouth, NH 03264