Vilho A. "Bill" Paju Jr.

He was born in Keene, NH on November 8, 1943, the son of Irene S. (Koski) and Vilho A. Paju, Sr. He was a 1961 graduate of Troy High School.

Bill was an Air Force veteran serving from February 7, 1964 until November 30, 1967, achieving the rank of Sergeant.

Prior to his military services, he worked at the former Troy Mills. He later worked for 25 years as the manager in shipping and receiving at the Sears Roebuck Company on Main Street. Keene. Following the store’s closure, he went back to work for a brief time at Troy Mills. Following his retirement, he worked for several years as a driver with Thomas Transportation.

Bill was an avid Bruins and Red Sox fan. He also was a collector of foreign coins. His joy in life was the time he spent with his family, especially his grandchildren.

He will be greatly missed by many, including his wife of 35 years, Linda M. (Gardner) Paju of Troy; two sons, William A. Paju of Sullivan, NH and Alex S. Paju and his wife, Shenna, of Keene, NH; five grandchildren, Ivan Paju and Aidan Paju, both of Sullivan, A.J. Paju, Andy Paju and Sophie Paju, all of Keene; a sister, Sonja LeBlanc and her husband, Gary, of Troy; his mother-in-law, Mary Gardner of New Port Richey, FL; two brothers-in-law, David Gardner and his wife, Becky, of Ayer, MA, and Paul Gardner, Jr. of Pepperell, MA; and several nieces and nephews. He was predeceased by his parents, and in 1980, his first wife, Karen (Lounder) Paju.

A graveside service with full military honors will be held Saturday, July 9, 2016 at 10:00AM in the Mountain View Cemetery, Route 12, Troy. Family and friends are invited to call on Friday evening from 6:00 to 8:00PM at the Foley Funeral Home, 49 Court Street, Keene.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in Mr. Paju’s memory to the Troy Fire and Ambulance Service, PO Box 675, Troy, NH 03465-0675.