SCARBOROUGH- Paul Ireland, 87, passed away after a brief illness on April 3, 2026. Having survived an aneurysm and cancer, he showed remarkable resilience and strength during his life. A late onset of Parkinson’s disease, however, was a battle he could not win.
He is survived by his loving wife of 65 years, Patricia Parker Ireland, children Kenny, Dwight and Gail, son in law Edward Platts; grandchildren Alexandra, Devin and Asher, his sister Charlene Ireland, brother Vernon Ireland, and many nieces and nephews.
Paul had a lifelong love of the outdoors and enjoyed hunting, fishing, or tending to a vegetable garden. When reminiscing about his childhood, some of his favorite memories were about summers spent with his siblings on their cousin’s farm—caring for animals, working in the fields, and enjoying the country life.
He was born in Guilford, Maine, to Flora and Hadley Ireland. The family later moved to Portland, where Paul graduated from Deering High School. His service in the U.S. Navy took him around the world, much of which he documented with his 8mm movie camera. After his honorable discharge, he spent 41 years working at B&M Baked Beans. In his retirement, he and his wife Patricia happily devoted many days to chasing golf balls at Biddeford-Saco Country Club where they were members.
Paul was known for his sense of humor and playful spirit. He delighted in pranks, like sneaking vegetable seeds into his sisters’ flower gardens, or greeting his grandchildren at his front door as “paparazzi,” blinding them with the light bar of his video camera.
Family and friends are invited to a celebration Paul’s life on May 23 from 1-3pm at
First Parish Congregational Church of Gorham
1 Church St., Gorham, ME 04038
The family thanks the staff at Maine Medical and Gosnell Memorial Hospice for their care of Paul.
In lieu of flowers, memorial donations can be made to Gosnell Memorial Hospice in his memory.
Arrangements have been entrusted to Poitras Funeral Homes, www.mainefuneral.com
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