Paul Joseph Denis, 99, a former long time resident of Maple Street in Claremont, died Monday morning, October 26, 2009 at Elm Wood Health Center.  He was born in Waterville, ME on August 17, 1910 the son of John B. and Marie (Veilleux) Denis and had resided in Claremont since 1912.

He graduated from St Mary’s High School in 1928, attended St Borromeo College in Sherbrooke and graduated from St Laurent College in Montreal.

He was a veteran of World War II having served in the US Navy.

He worked for Joy Manufacturing for a short time and worked at the State Hospital in Westboro, MA for two years and returned to Joy in 1941 and worked as a machinist and retired in 1972.

Paul enjoyed gardening (both flowers and vegetables), playing cards, especially cribbage and was an avid Red Sox fan.  He and his wife loved to travel and went on twenty-six trips including the Holy Land, Germany, Ireland, France and Italy. One highlight was a trip to Rome and was present at an audience with Pope John Paul II, and took a bus trip that went around the United States in thirty days.

Paul was a communicant of St Mary’s Church, a faithful supporter of St Mary’s Alumni Association, a member of Father Cote Council #1820 Knights of Columbus, the Polish American Citizens Club and the American Legion Post #29.

He was the widower of Rosamond Cecelia (Lapointe) Denis whom he married on Nov. 11, 1943.   She died Sept. 2, 2009.  He was also pre-deceased by his parents, seven sisters and two brothers.

The surviving family includes one daughter, Kathleen M. Lapierre of Windham, ME; three sons, Michael G. Denis of Manchester, CT, Thomas A. Denis of Moosic, PA and William A. Denis of Manchester, NH;  nine grandchildren; sixteen great-grandchildren; three great-great-grandchildren also nieces, nephews and cousins.

Friends may call at the Stringer Funeral Home, 146 Broad Street in Claremont on Thursday evening from 6 to 8 PM.

Members of the American Legion Post #29 are asked to meet at the Funeral Home on Thursday evening at 6:45 PM for services and the Knights of Columbus are asked to meet at 7 PM for services.

A Mass of Christian Burial  will be celebrated Friday afternoon, Oct. 30^th at One-Thirty O’clock in St Mary’s Church with Rev. Father Shawn M. Therrien, Pastor, officiating.

Interment with full military honors provided by the American Legion Post #29 will follow in St Mary’s Cemetery.