GILFORD ---- Paul E. Sottak, 78, died Tuesday, February 6, 2024, at Catholic Medical Center in Manchester, with Julie by his side surrounded by his family’s love.
He was born in Laconia on October 20, 1945, the son of Edward and Claire (DesRoches) Sottak. Paul was the youngest son of a blended family of 10.
Paul was a loving Husband, Father, Pop Pop, Brother, Friend and Cat Dad.
Paul was a lifelong resident of the Lakes Region, educated in the Belmont school system. After high school Paul attended Brigham Young University for a year and attended UNH taking evening classes and earned his degree in aeronautical engineering through the military.
Paul was a proud veteran serving his country for 8.5 years, rising to the rank of Captain. Paul served two tours in Vietnam. Paul’s first tour from 1968-1969 as a fixed wing aviator, flying bird dogs with the 183rd Reconnaissance Aviation Company, the Seahorses. Paul went by “Seahorse 13”. 13 would become Paul’s lucky number for life. Paul’s second tour, 1971-1972, was flying helicopters, mainly Huey’s and Cobras. Paul was a decorated and fearless warrior. All five Sottak/Benoit brothers served in the military during the same time, survived, and returned home from multiple tours. Paul loved his country and never missed the opportunity to vote. Paul made sure he voted in the 2024 NH Primary, even though he was hospitalized.
After bravely serving his country, Paul entered the world of medical sales. Paul was the epitome of a salesman. He was so charismatic that everyone who met him was charmed by him. Paul made everyone feel special and treated all with respect. Paul started his prestigious career in medical sales with All Orthopedic Appliances in 1973. Subsequent companies were Sotttak Orthopedic & Surgical, Orthopedics Unlimited, Biomet, Zimmer, and eventually retiring in 2021 with Zimmer-Biomet. Paul received numerous awards along with writing patents and forging lifelong friendships.
Paul was a dedicated contributor to his community having served on the Belmont Shaker Regional School Board for so many terms hoping to make the school system his four children attended the best it could be.
Paul was a great coach. Perhaps one of his most memorable community accomplishments was his involvement in Belmont’s Little League system with a group of boys that would go on to win the state championship in their senior year of high school with his eldest son being part of that team. Paul was a mentor to those boys in all the ways that counted. He was inducted into the Belmont High School Hall of Fame in 2004 for his personal athletic accomplishments alongside his son and again in 2019 with is state championship baseball team.
In 2009 Paul married his love, Julie. They bought a home in Gilford where Paul enjoyed planting large vegetable gardens and beautiful flowering gardens. Paul loved watering his gardens in the evening, often with a martini in his hand garnished with a radish from his garden. He could be heard talking to his plants, “Because it helps them grow.”
Paul loved to dance, play the guitar and make up songs. Later in life Paul took an interest in cooking. He would pour over recipes, prep ingredients and make dinner. He made a mean chicken piccata. He loved the sunrise and sunset equally. He loved watching the birds at the feeders. He loved the American flag. He loved road trips and being near the ocean. Paul enjoyed life.
Paul was an avid outdoorsman. He enjoyed hunting trips out west and to Canada with good friends. Paul loved to fish and was getting his boat ready for the upcoming season. Paul loved to golf.
Paul’s smile could light up a room. Even during tough times, his smile was still in place. Paul was forever an optimist, always positive. He would often say, “You have been gifted with today. But it’s just a day. It’s up to you to decide if it’s going to be a good day or a bad day. I hope you choose a good day.” Paul only had good days.
Paul was fiercely competitive; a trait he passed on to his children and grandchildren. Paul hated to lose. He was a fighter right up till the end. He fought hard. Many things tried to take Paul down - war, electrocution and pancreatic cancer. Paul always came out on top. He was born en caul, a sign of good luck or one that was destined for greatness. Paul loved fiercely, to be loved by Paul was to know unconditional love without judgement.
Paul was a man of great faith. Paul loved Jesus and Paul was a believer. Although he didn’t want to leave this world or his loved ones, he was not afraid to die. He knew he would have everlasting life.
Paul is survived by his loving wife, Julie (Harris) Sottak of Gilford; sons, Brett and his wife, Jen, of Belmont and Timothy Paul and his wife, Megan, of Belmont; daughters, Michelle and her husband, Phil Contigiani, of Belmont and Jennifer and her husband, Chris Gagnon, of Belmont; sister, Gale and her husband, David Howland, of Gilford; 10 grandchildren including Cassie and Cole Contigiani, Chloe, Nate, and Molly Sottak, Nolan and Kaitryn Gagnon, and Jasper, Rowan, Daya Sottak. Paul is also survived by Julie’s parents, Jack and Ann Harris of Fredericksburg, VA, Julie’s siblings, Peter Harris and family of Virginia Beach, VA, Laura Walsh and family of LaGrange, IL, and John Harris and family of Alexandria, VA, and sisters-in-law Lorraine Benoit of Laconia, NH, and Gerry Sottak of Santa Barbara, CA. He is also survived by several nieces and nephews. Paul also leaves his sweet companions Mick and Piper who brought great comfort during trying times.
In addition to his parents, Paul is predeceased by siblings Sr. Catherine Sottak, Eileen Sottak Mangham and husband Gordon, Edward Sottak and wife Marge, Patricia Benoit Romprey and husband Donald, Peter Benoit and wife Anna, William Benoit, Barry Sottak, and Sharon Sottak Troutman and her husband Jimmy. Paul is also predeceased by his loving fur baby, Bunny.
There will be no calling hours.
A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated on Saturday, February 24, 2024, at 10am at St. Andre Bessette Parish - Sacred Heart Church, 291 Union Ave., Laconia.
Burial with military honors will be held on Friday, June 14, 2024, at 1:00pm at the New Hampshire Veterans' State Cemetery, 110 Daniel Webster Highway, Boscawen, NH.
For those who wish, the family suggests memorial contributions In Paul’s name be made to the NH Humane Society, PO Box 572, Laconia, NH 03247, Tunnels to Towers Foundation, T2T.org, or a veteran organization that would be meaningful to Paul.
Wilkinson-Beane-Simoneau-Paquette Funeral Home & Cremation Services/603Cremations.com, 164 Pleasant St., Laconia, NH, 03246, is assisting the family with arrangements. For more information and to view an online memorial, please visit wilkinsonbeane.com.