Obituary of Edward Hubert Paquette

Edward Hubert Paquette, Sr.  passed away March 27, 2023, at the age of 86.  With his three children by his side, he went peacefully at home in St. Petersburg, Florida.  Born in Boston, Massachusetts on June 15, 1936, Ed attended grade school in North Quincy and Stoneham High School, where he met his bride-to-be, Ann.  After graduation, Ed attended Northeastern University in the school of Business Administration and was also enrolled in the ROTC, where he started as a Private.   

Working his way through college at various jobs, Ed graduated in June 1959, honored as a Distinguished Military Student and would receive an offer to enter the Army with a Regular Army Commission.  After completing basic training in Ft. Gordon, Georgia, Ed would be commissioned as a 2nd Lieutenant, and report to Ft. Monmouth, New Jersey for US Army Signal Corps School.  Ed received his first permanent assignment to report to the 41st Signal Battalion in Ft. Ord, California, in February 1960.  With this pending move, Ed and Ann decided the time was right; they were married on December 27, 1959 at St. Patrick’s Cathedral in Stoneham.   That was the start of a life together and Ed’s career with the Army Signal Corp.  

Ed served two tours of duty in Vietnam, 1963 and 1968.  Ed and Ann traveled around the country and overseas during his service including posts in Germany, Arizona, Kansas and Virginia.  In 1973 Ed moved with his family to Boulder Colorado where he went to the University of Colorado and earned his Master’s Degree.  Through the years, Ed and Ann made life-long friends, and would often meet them again on ‘the next’ assignment.  Ed cherished his friendships that all became a part of his Dash and always put friends and family first.   

A proud Army veteran, Ed’s final assignment was with Readiness Command at MacDill AFB in Tampa, where he retired as a Lt. Colonel in 1980.  Ed walked the walk and talked the talk.  He was very supportive of conservative values  and was a diehard fan of Fox News, President Reagan and supporting the military.  After retiring, Ed began a second career, as a Director for GTE Service Corporation, and enjoyed working with great teams and Ed Jr., for a time, from 1981 until 1996.  

A stern but fair father, Ed also knew how to give hugs and share laughs.  He and Ann shared their genuine sense of humor with their kids; he told jokes and laughed to the end, a true blessing to all.  Ed enjoyed playing golf, collecting coins and building things.  He built a TV with a kit in 1976 and learned woodworking from his friend Leon Salsman, Bonita’s father; the two of them built furniture and swings for the families.  He enjoyed remodeling homes with son John for many years; and in his later years enjoyed building ships with intricate detail.  What he enjoyed most was time with family, including his favorite, Sunday dinner with his son Ed Jr. and Ed’s wife Bonita.   While Ed liked his Scotch and beer in earlier years, his once a week Sunday beverage was a glass of red wine or a beer.  Just the one.   

Ed is survived by his three children, John Paquette, Edward (Bonita) Paquette, Jr. and Lynne (Mike) Keener.  Ed (Grandpa) also leaves behind his six grandchildren, whom he adored, Danielle and Jessica Paquette, Nicole (Zac) Douglas and Thomas Paquette and Madison and Chase Keener.  He is remembered by his grandchildren as being loving and kind, always funny, generous and a good story teller.  And he didn’t hesitate to share his wisdom on how to live life to the fullest. 

Ed is predeceased by his parents, Leo Eugere Paquette and Caroline Hilda (Foisy) Paquette, as well as his brother Leo Joseph (Joe) Paquette and sisters Caroline (Carol) and Rita.   

Ed was a great son, a great friend, a wonderful husband and an amazing father and grandfather.  God bless him as he joins the angels waiting for him! 

Visitation is scheduled  for Monday, April 17th at 4:30pm followed by a service and reception beginning at 5:30pm.  Anderson McQueen Funeral Home, 2201 Dr M.L.K. Jr St N, St. Petersburg, FL 33704. In lieu of flowers, Ed would be pleased with a donation to the Wounded Warrior Project.   

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