LEWISTON — With loved ones by his side, Paul Roger Westleigh, 69, of Lewiston,­­­ passed away unexpectedly Tuesday, March 27, at Central Maine Medical Center, due to complications from influenza A.

He was born Jan. 25, 1949, in Lewiston, the son of Arthur H. Westleigh and Paulette M. Roy Westleigh. He was educated in Lewiston schools and graduated from Lewiston High School in the Class of 1967.

Paul worked at Lewiston Welding and Dom Moreau Electrical before starting a 38-year career with Bath Iron Works, retiring in 2012. He worked as an electrician on the ships for 13 years before transferring into the BMDA in the electrical design department. He enjoyed this new job and over the years was a mentor to many.

He married Cathy Burdin on Aug. 29, 1970, in Lewiston. They raised their two children in Lewiston and lived on River Road for over 40 years. He found his piece of “heaven” in a camp in Shirley. It was where he enjoyed the quiet of the North Woods, the pristine waters for fishing and boating, and woods for hunting and four-wheeling.

After he and Cathy retired they were able to spend more time at camp, where he worked hard to make it a home away from home for them. It became a gathering place for family and friends, which he enjoyed. He and his son spent many weeks there during hunting season, while his daughter has fond memories of sitting outside with their coffee at the beginning of each day. His grandson spent time there from an early age and loved fishing with his Pepere.

When in Lewiston, he could often be found at his campsite on the Androscoggin River with a line in the water watching the sun go down. He was a lover of all kinds of music, old television and radio shows, and the computer. Many have expressed experiences and words to describe Paul. He lived life his way; was a smart, funny, sarcastic, loving, giving, hardworking, tell-it-like-it-is kind of guy, quick to forgive with a magnetic personality and a “special” sense of humor. He was taken much too soon and will be missed by many.

Survivors include ­­his wife of 48 years, Cathy Burdin Westleigh; his mother, Paulette Roy Westleigh, of Poland; his two children, Jonathan Arthur Westleigh and Rebecca Lynne Westleigh, both of Lewiston; his grandson, Jonathan Casey Bellows Westleigh, of Lewiston; his sister, Susan Bouchard, of California; his brother, Michael Westleigh (Gloria), of Lewiston; many nieces and nephews, friends and cousins; and special cousin, Bob Simpson, of Idaho. He will be missed by his furry friends, Buddy, Romeo and Busa.

Paul was predeceased by his father, Arthur H. Westleigh; his mother-in-law, Alice Whiting Burdin; sister-in-law, Lesley Burdin Pratt; great-nephew, Solan Bowen; great-niece, Brianne Pratt; and brother-in-law, Michael Bouchard.

Paul Roger Westleigh