Paul Bouvier

ELLINGTON, CT- SOUTHBRIDGE, MA;  Paul Francis Bouvier, 64, longtime resident of Southbridge, MA, and recently of  Ellington, CT, died peacefully at home, Sunday, Feb. 23.

He leaves his wife, Ann Bonney of Watertown, NY and central Connecticut, to whom he has been married for over 10 years.  At age 19, Paul married his high school sweetheart Paula Sommers of Woodstock, CT, and they were married for nine years.  He later married Dale Rennell-Bouvier of North Adams and Worcester, MA, who died in a tragic accident after 16 years of marriage.

In addition to his wife, he  leaves his children and their spouses Sonia Bouvier of Florence, MA; Tracy and Eric Landis of Dover, PA; Rachel and Joel Guarna of Portland, ME; and Jennifer and Stephen Mahoney of Tolland, CT; and Christopher  Kramer of Boston, MA. He leaves his brothers and sisters and their spouses: Richard Bouvier of Sturbridge; William and Jocelyn Bouvier of Sturbridge; Elaine Bouvier and John Buchholz of Belchertown and Southbridge, Anne and David Monroe of Sturbridge; Suzanne Bouvier and Larry Hardy of Framingham, MA; sister-in-law Claire Bonney and husband Matthias Brullmann, Basel, Switzerland; eight adored grandchildren: Sylvia Guarna, Travis Emerson, Kara and Ryan Mahoney,  and David, Daniel, Joshua and Sarah Hutchins; and nephews and nieces Heather Monroe, Emma Brullmann, Nicholas and Nathan Daniel, Philip and Jonathan Hardy-LaVoie, Zachary Hardy, Samantha Page, Andrea Williams, Katy Vanderzwagg, Sierra Bayless,  Jeanne Bouvier, Michael Bouvier,  and their families.  He was also predeceased by his nephew, Steven Bouvier of Sturbridge.

Paul was born in Medford, MA, the son of the late Albert and Evelyn (Kollett) Bouvier of Southbridge, MA, and lived in the Southbridge area, until moving to Ellington 10 years ago. 

He graduated from Southbridge High School, attended Norwich College (the country’s oldest private military college) and graduated cum laude from Windham College. He completed the course work for his Master’s in Education from Clark University. While at Norwich College he was active in the ROTC.

He taught English and history at Wells Jr. High School and Southbridge High School in Southbridge from 1975 to 1985. He was the class advisor for the Class of 1982, Chair of the English department, and Chess Club coach.

Paul was a Real Estate broker from 1985 and was the  broker/manager of the Coldwell Banker Sturbridge office until he became disabled due to cancer last year. He received the Certified Residential Specialist (CRS) designation, the highest designation in real estate.  He chaired the  United Way of Southbridge, Sturbridge, and Charlton campaign for two years, was a long time member of the Board of Harrington Hospital,   a member of the Chamber of Commerce, co-founder of  a business affinity group, and belonged to the Rotary and Lions Clubs and many other civic organizations in the tri-community Sturbridge area. He enjoyed working with his Office colleagues on Habitat for Humanity homes.  He considered himself a helping professional and was proudest of saving many lives through his frequent blood donations through the American Red Cross.

He loved cooking gourmet meals to share with family and friends. He loved playing chess and cribbage and was passionate about history and reading.

His funeral will be held at 10:00 AM on Saturday, March 1, in Holy Trinity Episcopal Church, 446 Hamilton St. Southbridge, MA. (Please go directly to Church.)

Calling hours are 5:00 to 8:00 PM Friday, Feb. 28, at the Belanger-Bullard Funeral Home, 51 Marcy St., Southbridge, MA.

Memorial donations may be made to Paul’s favorite charity in his memory, Smile Train, which performs corrective surgery for children with cleft palate throughout the developing world at http://www.smiletrain.org/ 

Please use the link below to view Paul's Video Tribute 

http://videos.lifetributes.com/470591