O.BROOKFIELD: Paul E. Berthiaume, 90, of Herard -Lane Estates, formerly of Spencer, left us on March 16 to accompany his beautiful wife, Margarethe T. (Kaisereiner) Berthiaume in eternity. They met in Austria and were married in Spencer on November 27, 1947.
He was born to J.Emery and Leonie R. (Mandeville) Berthiaume, on March 27, 1918 and grew up in Spencer with his siblings Gerard, Leonie,Emery and John, living in the end as the sole survivor.
Paul was predeceased by his loving wife Margarethe in 2005, and their two sons Erwin and Paul, Jr. Their surviving children, Erich Berthiaume and his wife Carolyn of Meredith, N.H., and Simone Trela and her husband Dennis of No.Brookfield, are blessed to have been given the great gift of life from such special and upstanding parents. He also leaves behind his cherished grandchildren Sherrie Strothers and her husband John, Erich Berthiaume, Jr. and his wife Brooke, his beautiful great granddaughters Siena, Contessa and Paige, his nieces Carol, Elfrieda, Bernadette and nephews Jacques (Jim) and David, grand nieces and grand nephews, and two sister in laws Pauline and Mary.
Paul joined the U.S. Army as a Radio Operator serving in the 11th. Armored Division under Patton in the Battle of the Bulge. He was a forward observer in the tank named "Bastogne Bastard". He later served his country again during the Korean War with the U.S. Air Force. After his military service, Paul graduated from the New England School of Accounting, launching his career as a State Auditor until his retirement in 1979. He was a member of the Gaudette-Kirk Post 138 American Legion in Spencer.
Reading was his lifeblood. His specialty was Philosophy written in French, German and English. He also loved art, poetry, classical music, writing/reading his own works, trips to bookstores in Cambridge and Amherst and traveling to Austria and France. For sports, his pride was playing baseball for the Allen Squire teams, as a "threatening" pitcher and left fielder. He also enjoyed following the Red Sox/Yankees rivalry over the years. His favorite sayings were:" It's a great life if you don't weaken", "La Vie En Rose..Elle Est ci Belle" "and you made the team!"
We love you Dad/Opa.. You made the team!!!
The funeral for Paul will be held on Friday, March 20 from the J.HENRI MORIN & SON FUNERAL HOME, 23 Maple Terr., Spencer, with a Mass at 10 a.m. in Our Lady of the Rosary Church, 7 Church St., Spencer. Burial will follow with Military Honors in Mary,Queen of the Rosary Cemetery, Spencer. Calling hours are Thursday, March 19 from 5 to 7p.m. Donations may be made to a charity of choice.