CANAAN – Paul L. Berube passed away on Feb. 5, 2024, in the presence of family after a sudden decline in his battle against pancreatic cancer. He was 79.

Born in Skowhegan on Jan. 1, 1945, to Irenee and Yvonne Berube, Paul grew up on the Back Road and attended eight years at the catholic convent before transitioning to the Skowhegan public schools. As a youth he worked each summer, first at the Somerset Motor Lodge and later at Keyes Fiber as an entry-level draftsman. After high school, he earned a Bachelor of Science degree in Civil Engineering from the University of Maine, Orono. He then joined the Army Corps of Engineers and served in the Vietnam War until his honorable discharge as a First Lieutenant in 1970.

Upon returning home from the service Paul met his wife of 51 years, Cheryl Toothaker Berube. They built a home in Canaan, and raised two daughters; Christi Berube, (married to Jon Huntington and with two children, Madelyn Huntington and Jacob Huntington), and Danelle Berube (married to Stacy Fender).

Paul had an accomplished engineering career designing public works such as sewers, water mains, and streets throughout Maine. He also specialized in river dam inspections and rehabilitation. Paul spent 20 years at Kleinschmidt Associates, first joining as a junior engineer and then holding numerous administrative and leadership roles including President. He also held senior civil engineer project positions at Bangor Hydro-Electric, Bancroft Contracting, and Dirigo Engineering. Later in his career, Paul continued to work part-time supervising work sites while renovating a second home in Harpswell, before fully retiring.

Paul is survived by his wife, children and grandchildren as well as one sister, Lorraine Berube of Brookings, Ore., and her partner Mike Saveland; two brothers, Hector Berube and his wife Arline of Skowhegan; Victor Berube and his wife Jane of Lacey, Wash.; one sister-in-law Brenda Kelshaw and her husband Roy of Dedham; nephew Tarl Kane of Washington; niece Jessica Berube of Brookings, Ore.; niece Lisa Gordan and her husband Jeff and daughters Taylor Chapman and McKayla Douin of Skowhegan; nephew Micheal Berube and his wife Janice and their child Caelyn of Winslow; niece Heather Shaughnessy and her husband Adam of Kalispell, Mont.; nephew Brian Kelshaw of Dedham; nephew Rodney Kelshaw and his wife Kristina and their daughter Hannah of Brunswick; and many cousins here, there, and into Canada.

Paul was predeceased by his mother, father and nephew Jervais Berube.

Paul was known for his clever ingenuity, wealth of knowledge, dry wit, work ethic, master builder skills, tree work and firewood collection, roadside salvaging, and his strong sense of duty and devotion to family, loved ones, friends and neighbors alike. Paul especially enjoyed reuniting with his graduating class of 1963 and with his U.S. Army 516 Alpha comrades. He is deeply missed.

At his request, no public service will be held. His internment and military honors will be provided at the Maine Veterans’ Memorial Cemetery in Augusta. Please celebrate Paul’s life and legacy through acts of kindness in your neighborhood or community.

To express your thoughts and condolences to the family, please visit http://www.desmondfuneralhomes.com.

In lieu of flowers, please consider donations to the Gosnell Memorial Hospice House in Scarborough

where Paul received exceptional care.

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