Dr. Andre J. Paradis, a longtime resident of Andover and beloved husband of Anne M. (Hurley) Paradis, passed away at his home in Andover on Monday evening, January 19, 2026, surrounded by family. He was 92 years old.
Dr. Paradis was born and raised in New Bedford, Massachusetts the son of Maurice W. and Evelina (Mailloux) Paradis. He was educated at Assumption College and the Tufts University School of Medicine, attaining a specialty in pediatric opthalmology through Harvard University at the Massachusetts Eye and Ear Infirmary in Boston. Following his residency at Boston City Hospital, he served as a lieutenant commander in the US Navy at the US Naval Hospital in Pensacola, Florida. Upon receiving his discharge in 1964, Dr. Paradis moved with his wife and family to Andover, Massachusetts. He opened a practice in Lawrence, eventually specializing in pediatric opthalmology and serving the Greater Lawrence community for thirty-three years. He also served on the staff of Boston Children's Hospital.
In his medical practice Dr. Paradis was known for his gentle demeanor, abundant patience, and attention to detail. In addition to providing routine eye examinations he was a skilled surgeon who diagnosed and treated diseases of the eye, primarily to countless young children. Each of his family members has encountered former patients of his over the years who recall Dr. Paradis with fondness and gratitude, many of whom credit him with "fixing my eyes."
In his private life Dr. Paradis was a devoted son, husband, father and grandfather. Despite a busy work schedule he made time to vacation with his family for camping and hiking in the White Mountains and taking trips up the Maine coast with a small sailboat strapped to a pop up camper towed behind a station wagon. They made frequent visits as well to the simple cottage on Sconticutt Neck in Fair Haven where he had spent summers as a child with his parents. There his children swam in the ocean with their Memere and took long walks through the marshes and on the rocky beaches with their Pepere, hunting for shells and sea glass and sometimes quahogs for dinner. He made time to attend hundreds of swim meets, plays and recitals, track meets, scouting events, basketball and soccer games. When on a college alumni survey he was asked to list his favorite hobbies, his response was simply "my children." His children received their education at St. Augustine School in Andover and at Central Catholic and St. Mary's High Schools in Lawrence, then earned undergraduate and graduate degrees from the Rhode Island School of Design, Middlebury College, M.I.T., Princeton, Brown, the University of Chicago and Stanford. It was observed on occasion that the AMC Concord he drove for many years was perhaps the most humble car parked in the section reserved for the M.D.'s at Lawrence General Hospital, but was likely the most expensive vehicle by virtue of the college decals proudly displayed on the rear window.
Upon retirement Dr. and Mrs. Paradis took the opportunity to travel around the world as well as to visit their children and grandchildren often. They also found time to teach English to immigrants in Lawrence and participate in the St Augustine's choir group, highlighted by a trip to Italy to perform at the Vatican. Dr. Paradis took in his elderly parents to care for them during their final years and could often be seen walking leisurely down Abbot Street with his father in the years after his mother had passed.
He adored dogs from a very young age, a passion he passed on to his children, and nearly every dog he encountered seemed to sense his goodness and take to him instantly.
In his final years Dr. Paradis suffered cognitive failure and was tirelessly cared for by his wife Anne. He remained alert and kind and good natured, recognized his children and grandchildren and his great granddaughter Madeleine until the end and delighted in their presence. He made friends of all neighborhood passers by, especially the dogs for whom he maintained a steady supply of treats, at times leaving slices of cheese on the stone wall at the end of the driveway for one of his favorites in the event that he might miss greeting the dog in person. His final days were spent at home where he was cared for by his wife and children with the assistance of Pathways Hospice Care.
He leaves his community much the better for his having been a part of it.
Dr. Paradis is survived by his beloved wife, Anne, daughter Elise A. Paradis of Tucson, Arizona and her husband Frank Gohlke, her children Catherine, son-in-law Paul, and son Andrew; daughter Andrea J. Paradis of Greenwich, Connecticut, her daughter Rosalie, son-in-law Martin, granddaughter Madeleine, and her son Jeremy; son Stephen J. Paradis of Bolivar, West Virginia, and his fiance Lisa; son Mark M. Paradis of Weybridge, Vermont, and his daughter Cassidy; son Daniel J. Paradis of Baltimore, Maryland and his son Luke; son Andrew U. Paradis of Newburyport, Massachusetts, and his wife Janet, her son Dan, daughter-in-law Yuliya, daughter Ally and granddaughter Harper; and extended family Jingbo and Cindy Yu of San Jose, California and Sr. Madeline St. Charles Carrabino, SND of Worcester.
Calling hours will be held in St. Augustine Church, 43 Essex Street, Andover on Wednesday, January 28, 2026 from 4 to 7 PM. His funeral mass will be celebrated in the church on Thursday, January 29, 2026 at 11 AM. Additional visitation will be Thursday at the church, prior to the mass from 9 to 11 AM. Relatives and friends are most welcome to attend. Interment will be held in the Spring Grove Cemetery in Andover. In lieu of flowers, donations in Dr. Paradis' memory may be made to St. Augustine's Church, 43 Essex St., Andover, MA 01810. Donations may also be made to the Department of Opthalmology at Boston Children's Hospital at: bostonchildrens.org.
Arrangements have been entrusted to the Burke-Magliozzi Funeral Home of Andover. For additional information, please visit, www.burkemagliozzi.com