Paul Arthur Hughes Jr.

He was born in Newport on Jan. 1, 1947, the son of Paul A. Hughes Sr. and Lois P. (Merrill) Emerson.

He graduated from M.C.I. High School in Pittsfield, class of 1965. In 1969, he graduated from the University of Maine at Orono, where he was a member of the Alpha Gamma Rho fraternity, with a Bachelor's of Science in Plant & Soil Sciences. He later received his Master's of Science in Vegetable Crops & Plant Physiology from Cornell University in Ithaca, New York.

He married the former Kathleen Cote on August 8, 1970 in Brewer, whom he met while they were both at the University of Maine.

After proudly serving in the U.S. Army Reserves in Dexter, Maine for a number of years, Paul spent over 30 years working for the USDA as a soil scientist and crop agronomist, working in many different areas all over the state of Maine before retiring in 2005 from the Natural Resources Conservation Service State Office in Bangor. He met some of his oldest, closest friends through his work.

An avid fan of the outdoors, Paul enjoyed ice fishing, hiking, ATVing, cross-country skiing and snowshoeing and even tackled some white-water canoe racing with his friends. One of his proud achievements was hiking the entire Maine portion of the Appalachian Trail. He was exceptionally proud of the house he built for his family in Cornville and of the strawberry farm he ran for many years. He also loved woodworking, wood carving and tending to his expansive vegetable and flower gardens. He was a longtime supporter of 4-H, leading the South Solon Hustlers club for many years when his children were younger, and judging exhibits at the Skowhegan Fair.

Above all, Paul loved being with his immediate and extended family. He provided his wife with many years of endless love, comfort and support and he was very involved in the lives of his children, always encouraging them through each step in life. He loved family gatherings and visiting with family members. In recent years, he was quite enthusiastic about spending time with his grandchildren regardless of whether it entailed playing baseball, putting together jigsaw puzzles, taking walks, watching soccer games or just snuggling and watching a movie.

Paul is survived by his wife of 46 years, Kathleen Hughes, of Cornville, two children, Joanna Berube and her husband, John, of Billerica, MA., Peter Hughes and his companion, Rachel Slivka, of Garner, NC., his mother, Lois Emerson of Pittsfield, one brother, Bruce Hughes of Gorham, four sisters: Sharon Mayers of Coventry, RI., Sonia Hughes of Damariscotta, Ginger Chandler and her husband, John, of Pittston, Robin Hughes of Waldoboro; two grandchildren, Lucas and Cassandra, and many nieces and nephews.

A celebration of Paul's life will be held on Friday, November 18th, 2016 at 11am at Smart & Edwards Funeral Home, 183 Madison Ave., Skowhegan, Maine. Memorial contributions may be made to MaineGeneral Health to benefit the Harold Alfond Cancer Center. Please send your gift to: MaineGeneral Health, Office of Philanthropy, PO Box 828, Waterville, Maine 04903-0828.