SOUTH THOMASTON — Paul G. Chapman, 104, passed away Saturday, September 7, 2024. Born in Wiscasset, on November 12, 1919, to his cherished parents, Lowell and Della Day Chapman, the oldest of four younger sisters.

The family moved to Rockland when Paul was only eight months old. He graduated from Rockland High School in 1937, and in 1938 he married Laila Rahkonen at the age of 19. That same year he moved to South Thomaston where Paul eventually earned the distinction of oldest living resident and resided there until peacefully passing at that same home. Together Paul and Laila, who passed in 2001, were married for 63 years and had three children, 10 grandchildren, 14 great-grandchildren and 20 great-great-grandchildren.

Paul talked a great deal about his parents and his childhood growing up in Rockland. In his youth he ran track, hunted and trapped with his dog “Peggy”, and swam in the local quarries. He spoke fondly of, and deeply loved his mother, who seemed like an angel on earth to those who heard him speak of her. He also had a deep amount of respect and admiration for his father who was an engineer on the railroad in Rockland for many years. His love of the railroad was rooted in that pride.

In 1943 Paul joined the Army and was a member of 101st Airborne Division in Company K 327th Glider Infantry Regiment. He was honorably discharged from the Army on January 12, 1946, as a Private First Class.

Paul held a variety of jobs before settling at Rockland Boat Shop where he worked for 35 years before retiring. However, he didn’t fully retire as he continued building fishing boats in his barn, completing his last boat when he was well into his 90s. He also made gaffs, selling them to local fishermen and later flagpoles from trees he felled in the woods behind his house. Paul was often asked about the secret to a long life. His response was always the same: “Find something you love to do and stay busy.”

Paul and his wife enjoyed traveling together, gardening, and their Sunday car rides. They even ventured far north, camping at Lobster Lake with the family. In his later years, he enjoyed spending time in the kitchen making apple and pumpkin pies. He also had a few favorite dinners he would cook for the family, including chop suey, beef stew and meatballs. Paul passed down many skills to his family, including his love of the game “31”. Paul would always seem to pull off a win despite laughing when he would try to bluff. Paul was also ferocious reader and particularly enjoyed stories about the Civil War and World War II. Once his eyesight began to fail, he listened to audio books and would say, “If you’re not learning something every day, you’re falling behind.”

Paul’s steadfast commitment to his family was the greatest gift he could have given them, and has instilled in all those he leaves behind the importance of family, compassion, and grit.

Paul was predeceased by his two daughters Pauline Reed and Jane Caswell; his grandchildren Paul Elliot, Jeffrey DeMass, and Kelly Johnson; and his great-grandchildren Justin Elliot and Jeffrey Jordan.

He is survived by his daughter Jacqueline Laffely; his grandchildren Linda Elliot of Rockland, Lisa Elliot-Laamann of South Thomaston, Michael Reed of Damariscotta, Stacey Elliot of Stoneham, Massachusetts, Joel DeMass of North Andover, Massachusetts, Diane Willett of Woolwich, and Donald Caswell and his wife Sonya of West Gardiner; and his great-grandchildren, Toni Reska, Sven Laamann and his partner Caitlin Anton, Nicole and Craig Hatch, Joshua Haddad, Lindsay and Travis Parisi, Al Miller and his partner Annie Gagne, James and Taylor DeMass, and Alexander DeMass.

Lastly, Paul’s family would like to acknowledge Liz Dinsmore, who dedicated the last years to make Paul’s life as comfortable and cared for as possible.

Family and friends are invited to visit Saturday, September 14, 2024, from 10 a.m. to 12 p.m., at Burpee Carpenter & Hutchins Funeral Home, 110 Limerock Street, Rockland, where a celebration of life will be held immediately following at 12 p.m. Interment will follow at Achorn Cemetery.

To share a memory or condolence with the Chapman family, please visit their Book of Memories at www.bchfh.com.