Obituary: Paul Butler

**Paul Butler, 93, of Falmouth, Dies After a Long, Life‑Loving Career** FALMOUTH, ME – Paul Butler, a longtime community leader, businessman and family man, died peacefully surrounded by loved ones on October 21, 2026, after a brief bout of illness. He was 93. ### Early Years and Family Roots Born in New York City on March 18, 1933, Paul grew up in the city before his family moved to Portland, Maine. He shared a childhood with his twin brother, Willard “Bill” Richardson, and spent many summers at Camp Hinds in Raymond and at a family cottage on Highland Lake in Falmouth. The twins were known to deliver newspapers by boat to lake residents, and they kept a black Labrador named Blackie, who was a favorite of their parents. Paul attended Deering High School, where he served as student‑council president and earned the rank of Eagle Scout. He also ran track and participated in a number of school committees. He later studied at the University of Maine in Orono, joining the Honorary Society of Sophomore Owls and Sigma Chi fraternity. It was there that he met Jan Bishop, who would become his wife and partner in life. ### Military Service and Marriage After graduation, Butler spent six months in officer training at Fort Benning, Georgia. He married Jan in August 1956 in Hartford, Connecticut, where they began his career at Connecticut General Life Insurance Company. Their first child, daughter Brenda, was born in Hartford in 1959. In 1960 the family returned to Maine. Paul joined his father‑in‑law, M. Stanley Bishop, at the family business, A. R. Bishop & Son. He rose to become president and owner, steering the firm from its original location on Commercial Street to a new facility and retail shop in South Portland. Over the decades, Butler cultivated lasting relationships with chefs, buyers, and owners of restaurants, hotels, schools, summer camps, and ski resorts that relied on the company’s services. ### Family Life The family grew with the birth of three more daughters—Julie, Jill, and Gail—while residing in South Portland. In 1974 they built a home in Cape Elizabeth, where they lived for 45 years. Butler’s household always included three dogs—Prince, Shep, and Buffer—who were beloved members of the family. In 2019 they moved to Ocean View in Falmouth. Paul and Jan celebrated many milestones together, including his 90th birthday in 2023 and a 70th wedding anniversary on August 11, 2026. Their children and grandchildren—Kelsey White, Grace Mack, Caroline Mack, and Benjamin White—attended many family gatherings, and Paul took great pride in watching them grow into remarkable young adults. ### Civic Engagement A pillar of the Cape Elizabeth‑South Portland community, Butler joined the Rotary Club in 1974. He served as club president in 1980‑81 and secretary from 1996‑2013, achieving 37 years of perfect attendance. In 1986 he was named a Paul Harris Fellow. He organized popular fundraising events such as Christmas tree sales, a Family Fun Day at Fort Williams, and volunteer service at local food kitchens. After retiring from A. R. Bishop & Son in 1994, he and Jan devoted time to travel, golf, and bowling leagues. Butler also volunteered at the South Portland Food Pantry and served as treasurer of the First Congregational Church in South Portland. The couple enjoyed winter trips to Florida’s Gulf Coast and spent summer holidays in Bethel, Maine. ### Final Days and Memorial Paul’s death followed a brief illness, and he was surrounded by family at the time. The family would like to thank the medical staff at Northern Light Mercy Hospital and Northern Light Hospice for their care and compassion. A memorial service will be held on Saturday, October 31, at 11 a.m. in the First Congregational Church of South Portland, with a reception afterward in the Wright Pavilion. The family invites friends to share condolences online at . In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the South Portland / Cape Elizabeth Rotary Club Charitable Fund: ``` PMB 239 50 Market St., Suite 1A South Portland, ME 04106 ``` ### Survivors Paul is survived by his wife Jan, daughters Julie (Standish), Jill (Framingham, Mass., married to David Mack), and Gail (Windham, married to Alan White), his twin brother Willard “Bill” Richardson (Richmond, Va.), four grandchildren (Kelsey White, Grace Mack, Caroline Mack, Benjamin White), niece Melissa Butler, and nephew Mark Butler. He predeceased his daughter Brenda Ann, parents Guy and Dorothy Bulter, and step‑mother Nancy Butler. Paul Butler’s legacy of family devotion, community service, and entrepreneurial spirit will be remembered by all who knew him.