FARMINGTON – Paul E. Hooper, 78, of New Sharon, died Tuesday morning, July 12, at Franklin Memorial Hospital.

He was born Jan. 21, 1927, in New Sharon, a son of the late Frank P. and Nellie (Eaton) Hooper. He attended school in New Sharon and graduated from New Sharon High School, Class of 1944.

On Aug. 20, 1949, he married the former Eleanor L. Tulley in East Rochester, N.Y.

He honorably served his country from the end of World War II to the Vietnam conflict in the U.S. Army and the U.S. Air Force for 22 years, retiring in 1967.

For more than 36 years, he was a member of Franklin Lodge 123 AF & AM in New Sharon, where he served in many offices including district deputy grand master of the 15th Masonic district.

He was an avid carpenter, loved to play cribbage and was most happy when his family was around – and will be greatly missed by them.

He is survived by four sons, Gary of Northeast Harbor, Mark and his wife, Lee Ann, of Charlestown, R.I., Roy of Warren, and Randy and his wife, Marguerite, of New Sharon; a sister, Arlene Tulley of Webster, N.Y.; eight grandchildren; two great-grandchildren; and several nieces and nephews.

He was predeceased by his parents; his wife of more than 53 years on May 6, 2003; a sister, Florice MacCoole and her husband, Herb; and a brother-in-law, Robert Tulley.