PAUL E. MCATEE, HOULTON – Paul E. McAtee, 69, passed away peacefully on Monday, December 18, 2017, at home, after a courageous ten-year battle with cancer. Paul was born on August 13, 1948, at the family homestead in East Hodgdon, the youngest son of Ralph and Josephine (Schools) McAtee.
He was a very hard worker, spending his childhood helping his father on the farm. After graduation, he went to N.M.V.T.I. in Presque Isle, and was the first in the family to graduate from college. Paul spent the majority of his adult life working as a welder, fabricator, and mechanic. He took great pride in the pull truck “Scrap Iron”, which he helped to build with his brother, Joe, and nephew, Tim. His mechanic work helped to keep “Scrap Iron” competitive for years.
Paul’s favorite hobby was riding his motorcycle. He loved riding all over the state of Maine and New Brunswick. He loved riding to car shows and museums, particularly the Owls Head Transportation Museum and Seals Cove Museum. His dream was to go on a four corners tour of the United States with his motorcycle.
He is survived by his daughter, Kristi McAtee; a brother, Charles McAtee and his wife, Joan; his mother-in-law, Nancy Sanderson; brothers-in-law, James Sanderson, Byron Sanderson and his wife, Lynn; sisters-in-law, Lorrie Helsor and her husband, Mark, Lisa LaDuke and her husband, Bruce. He also leaves behind fourteen nieces and nephews, numerous cousins and several special friends, including Denise Tidd and family. In addition to his parents, Ralph and Josephine McAtee, Paul was predeceased by his wife, Karen (Sanderson) McAtee; brother, Joseph McAtee; nephew, Tim McAtee; and his father-in-law, Jack Sanderson.
Friends were invited to call from 12-2 p.m. on Friday, December 22, 2017, at the Dunn Funeral Home, where a service celebrating Paul’s life started at 2 p.m. with the Rev. Steve Straubel officiating. A spring interment will take place at Evergreen Cemetery, Houlton. In lieu of flowers those who wish to remember Paul in a special way may make gifts in his memory payable to the Southern Aroostook Agricultural Museum in c/o Dunn Funeral Home, 11 Park St., Houlton, ME 04730. Online condolences may be expressed on the Tribute Wall at: www.dunnfuneral.com
