Joseph Omar Paquin, 79, of Middletown, Rhode Island died Thursday June 13, 2019 at Rhode Island Hospital in Providence.
Born and raised in Providence he was a son of the late Omar and Kathleen (Garrahan) Paquin.
Mr. Paquin was prize-winning horse trainer and owner. He started his journey as a horseman when he jumped over the gate onto the backside of Narragansett Park, a thoroughbred racetrack in Pawtucket. Along with his brothers, he moved to Florida in his young adulthood to further pursue his work in the horse racing profession. He was known and respected in the horse racing circles as one of the BEST horse handlers and trainers in the racing world and had a reputation in the field that spanned from coast to coast. He traveled as a horseman to meets all along the East Coast: Rockingham Park in New Hampshire, Delaware Park, Philadelphia Park, Penn National, Bowie, Pimlico and Laurel in Maryland, and all over the “Sunshine State” of Florida to Gulfstream, Hialeah, Calder and Tampa Bay Downs. He resided mostly in the San Carlos Park, Florida area for many years but horse farms and race tracks all over the place were truly Joe’s second home – some would say his true home.
Outside of the racing profession, Joe was well known among friends for his top-notch handicapping skills at racing and on occasion he enjoyed visiting the casino to play his luck at the “Sport of Kings” and spend some side time with the slots.
As a recovered alcoholic for over thirty years, one of Joe’s proudest accomplishments was opening and operating a half-way house in Fort Lauderdale, Florida to help those struggling with addiction who needed help getting back on their feet as they worked day by day to reclaim their lives. Appropriately named “Racetrack Joe’s ¾ House, Incorporated” it was a nonprofit organization that would not only help people in their quest for sobriety, but Joe would go out of his way to help them find gainful and meaningful employment and acclimate them to productive and hopeful lives. Joe had a special knack (a.k.a. arm-twisting) in obtaining contributions from the community to provide food, furniture, necessities and resources to “his residents”. Those who passed through the doors of “Racetrack Joe’s” really were his extended family.
Joe returned to his Ocean State roots in 2010 and took up residence in Middletown (Newport being just a tad bit too ritzy for a lad from Providence!). He became involved with the Middletown Senior Center and it was there that he shared his love for singing not only with the staff but also by participating in a chorus. Music was a central part of Joe’s soul. Joe became a volunteer for the center to further give back to his community.
Joe was a true animal lover, not only of horses, but such affinity extended to his faithful feline friend, his cat Clyde, who was his trustworthy mealtime companion. Joe also enjoyed antiquing and selling antiques on weekends. It is said that one man’s trash is another man’s treasure; Joe dealt with both sides of that coin dealing with such collectibles with his expert eye and intuitive knack for bargaining (i.e. good old fashioned wheeling and dealing). A good horse trader at heart, Joe could hold his own with anyone about anything at any time and anywhere.
Joe is survived by several siblings including Paul Paquin of Providence, George Paquin of Lynn, MA, Kathleen Paquin of Maine and Alice Vaillancourt of Woonsocket. He was the brother of the late Charles, William and Arthur Paquin, Mary Ann Peloquin and Emelie Arruda. He is also survived by many nieces and nephews and their families.
His Mass of Christian Burial will be Thursday at 11:00 am in St. Agatha’s Church on Joffre St. in Woonsocket. Burial will follow in St. Ann’s Cemetery in Cranston. Visiting hours are Thursday from 9:00 to 10:30 am, prior to Mass, in the Menard-Lacouture Funeral Home, 127 Carrington Ave. Woonsocket. In lieu of flowers, memorial donations can be made to the Middletown Senior Center at 670 Green End Ave, Middletown, RI 02842. www.menardfuneralhome.com.