Paul G. Roy
Monmouth-On July 16, 2026, Paul Gillis Roy, age 93 of Monmouth, Maine, passed away peacefully at home after a long illness.
Paul was born on March 10, 1933, in Augusta Maine, to Alexander Roy and Ernestine (Cote) Roy.
He graduated from Hallowell High School in 1951 with a full scholarship to play football at the University of New Hampshire. A testament to his character, Paul instead decided to answer the call to serve and joined the United States Army as a paratrooper with the 82nd Airborne. He later requested reassignment and was deployed to serve in the Korean War with Eighth U.S. Army 3rd Infantry Division. Paul was honorably discharged in 1954 at the rank of Sergeant First Class. During his service, he received the Bronze Star Medal for Meritorious Service, Korean Service Medal with two Bronze Service Stars, National Defense Service Medal, and United Nations Service Medal. Despite these decorations, Paul was most proud of the 350 lb. wild boar he hunted for his commanding officer during deployment.
After returning home, Paul worked as a lineman for Central Maine Power, prior to opening his own automotive garage, Paul’s Auto Body, which he ran until retirement.
Paul married Nancy J. Tobey in 1959. They resided in South Gardiner and later in Richmond, where they remained until Nancy’s passing in 2016. He then moved to Monmouth, where he lived with his daughter and son-in-law.
Paul’s best friend, Wendell Skidgell said Paul was “at his best when he was helping others.”
Paul exemplified that statement as a Kora Shriner, having served as past President of the Kennebec County Shrine Club. He was a member of the Kora Clowns, and one of the founding members of the Kora Karts.
In 1968, Paul attended a retreat for the Kennebec County Shrine Club at the Squaw Mountain Hotel in Greenville, Maine. An accidental fire broke out during his stay, destroying the hotel. Using his skills as a paratrooper, Paul jumped from the window ledge, then ran to bring back a ladder, saving the lives of several staff and Shriners. He and his father-in-law also caught a young woman who jumped from the burning building. Paul received the Lifesaving Award from the International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers for his heroism.
In 2014, Paul was inducted into the Hallowell High School and Hall-Dale High School Inaugural Athletic Hall of Fame for his role as quarterback for the 1950 Hallowell High School Championship Football Team.
In 2024, he was chosen to attend Honor Flight Maine, where he proudly participated in placing a wreath on the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier.
Paul made friends with everyone he met and cherished every one of them. In his later years, he became a staple at Charlene’s gas station in Richmond, where he went almost daily to visit “his girls” and scratch his lottery tickets.
Paul was predeceased by his parents and 9 siblings. He is survived by his daughter, Jennifer McDonough and husband Bill; granddaughter, Heather Brown and partner Sara Belmont of Portland; brother Carold Blake and wife Donna of Hallowell; brother Ronald Blake and wife Michelle of Gardiner; and many special nieces, nephews, and cousins.
A memorial service will be held on August 21st, 2026, at 12:00 pm at the Maine Veterans Cemetery 143 Blue Star Ave., Augusta.
Those who wish may make a memorial contribution to:
Honor Flight Maine, P.O. Box 469, Augusta, ME 04332-0469, or online at www.honorflightmaine.org/donations
Paul’s family would like to send a heartfelt thank you to the nursing staff of Andwell Hospice who cared for him (Darby, Maddie, Gail, and Christine), and the outstanding staff at the Togus Veterans Administration (Tiffany Wood, RN, Dr. Annette Beyea, Jarrod Henry, PA, and many, many more).