Military and community service
Raymond “Ray” Joseph Paulin, 89, of Forest Park, died on Jan. 9, 2023, at Ascension St. Vincent in Kokomo, Indiana. Born to the late Isidore and Alice Auroré (Socquet) Paulin on Nov. 28, 1933, in Montague, Massachusetts, he is survived by his wife, Janet Warner Paulin. They were married on June 12, 1965 and celebrated 57 years of marriage, supporting each other through all of life’s trials and rewards.
Ray graduated from Turner Falls High School in 1952 where he played the flute. He went on to proudly serve in the U.S. Army from 1953-1956, earning the rank Specialist Third Class. While he started his military career in radio repair school, the Army quickly moved him to installing and repairing Nike missiles on the East Coast.
After the military, he worked as clerk of works, plant engineer and campus police at Anna Maria College in Paxton, Massachusetts while he put himself through college, culminating in a Bachelor of Science in Business Administration from Clark University in 1966.
Ray met his wife-to-be, Janet, while ballroom dancing. After graduating from college, they said their goodbyes to Massachusetts and moved to Forest Park, while Ray was working for Sears. He then worked for Montgomery Wards and General Electric, where he retired after a career in data processing.
As a resident of Forest Park, he served as a representative of the District 91 School Board Advisory Council on the Community Education Council from its origination in 1974. He also served on the village zoning board for 30 years.
He joined the Civil Air Patrol, a nonprofit and an auxiliary of the U.S. Air Force, in the late ’50s and flew fire watch missions as a volunteer. Later he served as the commander of the local squadron. In addition, he and his wife were involved in the leadership of the cadet competition drill team. Many people knew him as a tall man with a military, no-expression approach, but his dry humor could always be expected.
Bearing the affectionate title, “Mayor of Ferdinand,” he loved his neighborhood and welcomed everyone into it, especially the dogs. The neighborhood dogs (and grand dogs) quickly adopted him as their second favorite person.
No matter how big or small, he was there, lending a helping hand. His gratitude and love shined the most for his grandchildren, proudly watching them grow up brought even more joy and happiness to his life. There wasn’t an event, birthday party or graduation that he didn’t make every effort to attend.
Ray Paulin is survived by his wife, Janet Paulin; his children, Rand (Marjo Maisterra) Paulin, Jennifer (Dan) Powell, Julie (Lee) Fitzgerald, Justin (Sonia) Trottier, and Robert (Jane) Trombi; his grandchildren, CJ, Garet, Brin, Grant, Devin, Michael, Dominic, Ethan, Eva, Zach, and Greg; his brother-in-law, Larry Cadran; his nieces, Anne, and Linda; and his nephew, David.
He was preceded in death by his parents, Isidore and Alice Paulin; his sister, Irene Cadran; and his aunt, Sr. Irene Socquet.
Stout & Son Funeral Home in Russiaville, Indiana handled arrangements with cremation. Messages of condolences may be left online at www.stoutandson.com.
A military honors ceremony will be performed at 2 p.m. with a celebration of life to follow for family and friends from 2-6 p.m. at the Howard Mohr Community Center at 7640 Jackson Blvd., Forest Park on Feb. 18.
