Paton, John R., 70, September 28, 2013. A celebration of life will be held October 5, 2013, at NMCC in the Edmunds Library Conference Room B. Arrangements by Duncan-Graves Funeral Home, Presque Isle.
PRESQUE ISLE – John R. Paton, PhD, 70, passed away on Saturday, September 28, 2013, at a local hospital with his family at his side. John was born in Clinton, MA, and attended schools in Bernardston, MA, and Unity-Freedom High School after the family moved to Troy, ME. John was the son of Phillip and Marian (Rumgay) Paton.
After working as a real estate appraiser in Waldoboro and Waterville, John was employed at Burrelles and taught history within the University of Maine System and Northern Maine Community College. He received his BA in History at the University of Maine in 1965 followed by an MA from Indiana University and his PhD focusing on agricultural history from the University of Maine at Orono. He was a kind, intelligent, soft spoken gentle man, and a role model to those who knew him.
John is survived by his wife of 26 years, Priscilla (Dean) Paton; his daughter, Rebecca Corcoran and her husband, Michael of Canaan; and siblings and their spouses, Stanley and Judy Paton of Waldo-boro, Peter Paton of Troy, Priscilla Paton and David Anderson of Northfield, MN, and Mary Ella and Richard Jones of Poland. He will also be missed by many nieces, nephews, friends and students and by his special cat, Scarlett.
John was predeceased by his parents
A celebration of life will be held at 1 p.m., October 5, 2013, at Northern Maine Community College in the Edmunds Library Conference Room B. Donations may be made in his memory to Northern Maine Community College Foundation, 33 Edgemont Drive, Presque Isle. Memories and condolences may be shared with the family at www.duncan-graves.com.
