| Graduation Year | Class of 1931 |
| Date of Passing | May 27, 2015 |
| About | HOULTON – Paul A. McGillicuddy, 102, a prominent and successful local businessman, died of natural causes on May 27th at a local healthcare facility. He was born in Houlton, Maine on March 16, 1913, son of the late Thomas and Anna (Hogan) McGillicuddy. Paul attended a 1 room schoolhouse on the Littleton Ridge before moving into town where he was a student of St. Mary’s School. He graduated from Houlton High School after serving as President of his class and then entered the Houlton Business College. Upon completion of his degree there, he accepted his first job traveling the state of Maine as a representative for the Bay State Milling Company of Wisconsin. Four years later, he became Manager of the Houlton Grange Store upon the unexpected death of his father-in-law, Byron Stewart. Within five years he was approached by Mobil with the proposal to assume the distributorship of gas and oil in the Houlton area- an offer he readily accepted. It was then that he constructed a building on 70 Bangor Street in Houlton to house the dealership and to also sell appliances. In 1961, Paul opened McGillicuddy’s House of Fine Furniture where he worked until his retirement 30 years later. In spite of the considerable duties in running his own businesses, he found time to take an active part in church affairs at St. Mary’s where he was an outstanding layman and former Grand Knight of the Knights of Columbus. He was an active participant in the local Chamber of Commerce, a past president of the Lions Club, and on the Board of Directors at the Houlton Trust Company. Paul was also on the Board of Trustees at the Madigan Memorial and the Houlton Regional Hospital and was chosen to be an associate member of the Sisters of Mercy. He served on the Town Budget Committee and always maintained an interest in the Houlton School System as a great supporter of its Music and Athletic Department. He was chosen for the Outstanding Citizen Award in 1975 and was delighted to be honored by the Rotary Club with the Paul Harris Award. He was especially proud to receive a Papal Blessing from Pope Benedict upon the occasion of his 100th birthday. Paul was keenly interested in the advancement and progress of his hometown and unselfish in participating in any activity that would make Houlton the very best community it could be. His sound judgment and foresight was always a welcome addition to any committee or project he was involved in. He was well liked and respected by all those he came in contact with. He is survived by his 4 children: Terry McGillicuddy of Houlton, Maureen (Leo) Connerton of Newport, RI, David McGillicuddy of Houlton, Jane (Geoff) Phipps of Bluffton, SC; 11 grandchildren, 23 great-grandchildren and 6 great-great- grandchildren. He was pre-deceased by his parents, 6 siblings and his dear wife, Pauline, with whom he shared a wonderful marriage lasting 61 years. |
