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John Paul Paradis was welcomed into this world by his loving parents Louis and Marie Paradis on Dec. 27, 1919, in Holyoke, Massachusetts, and departed on July 31 in Guilford at the age of 97 years young.

He leaves his dear wife of 72 years, Mary Agnes Short Paradis, along with their children and their families including, Carol and Casey Pilis (Clinton); Thomas and Karen Paradis (Portland, Maine); Surashri William Paradis (Queens, New York); Nancy and Robert Janicki (East Haven); Susan and Clifford Gregory (Wales, Massachusetts); James Paradis (Guilford); Patricia and Daniel Chase (Cape Elizabeth, Maine); Michael and Deborah Paradis (Auburn, Alabama); Mary and David Kelly (Guilford); as well as Reynaldo and Malou Roberto (Toronto, Canada). In addition, he leaves 26 grandchildren and their families, Jason and Christine Mark; Simon Mark and Jeannette Walker; Derek Paradis; Daniel and Angela Roberge; Sharla and Ben Tracy; Michael Roberge; Andrea and Jason Ashe; Malena Daurio and Matt Dean; Shana and Fernando Costa; Erica Daurio; Matt and Elizabeth Daurio; Michelle and Tom Remsen; David and Tasia Janicki; Nathan Roberto; Trevor Gregory and Chante Andrews; Abbie Gregory; Daniel Paradis and Hannah Song; David Paradis and Gertrude Basirika; Christy and Adam Coppola; JP and Erica Paradis; Allison Chase; Nolan Chase; Ryan and Lori Paradis; Joseph Paradis and Leah Iglesias; Courtney Kelly; and Andrew Kelly. He also leaves 24 great-grandchildren, Max, Charlie Grace, Ian, and Tristan Mark; Orion Russell; Nathan and Tanner (TJ) Roberge; Aidan, Kaela, and Noah Tracy; Christopher and Emily Roberge; Mason and Dylann Dean; Talia Costa; Adam and Alice Remsen; Remy, Rhea, and Reign Paradis; Alexa and Paige Coppola; Christopher and Lincoln Paradis; and two more on the way. He was predeceased by his siblings Claire, Bernard, Gerard, Doris, and Leonard, and he also leaves numerous nieces and nephews and their families.

As a teenager in the 1930’s, John went to work for Olin Winchester as a sweeper to help support his family. He later became a toolmaker, then a foreman, and eventually worked his way up to high management before his retirement in 1981. From February 1944 until November 1945, he served honorably in the US Army Air Corps. Bowling, woodworking, pinochle, golf (especially with his buddies Stan Sandquist and Bud Hurteau), and having a lawn as green as Mickey Scoopo’s next door, were all his passions, as well as, of course, rooting for the New York Yankees and Giants.

But there was no greater joy to him than having his loving family and friends around him. He always looked forward to family reunions to celebrate birthdays and anniversaries twice a year. He loved bouncing a baby on his knee and could share a tale with great comic timing; a very sociable kind of guy, he strove always to be respectful of and decent to others.

He was a devout Christian and actively participated in church activities until the end.

Calling hours will be held at the Guilford Funeral Home, 115 Church St., Guilford, on Aug. 6, from 4 to 7 p.m. A Mass of Christian burial will be celebrated at St. George Church, 33 Whitfield St., Guilford, on Aug. 7 at 10 a.m., followed by the burial in St. George’s Cemetery. Luncheon will then be served at the First Congregational Church on the Guilford Green. No flowers please due to allergies. In lieu of flowers donations may be made to Connecticut Hospice, 100 Double Beach Rd., Branford, CT 06405, or a charity of your choice. To share a memory or leave a message of condolence for the family, please visit www.GuilfordFuneralHome.com.