Kenneth F. Paradis, 82, of Haverhill, formerly of Atkinson, N.H., and St Petersburg, Fla., passed away Friday, Feb. 13, at the Catholic Medical Center in Manchester, N.H. with his family by his side.
Born in Haverhill, he was the son of Alfred G. and Anna (Leavitt) Paradis. Raised in Manchester, N.H., he attended Manchester public schools and two years at Manchester Central High School. His family relocated back to Haverhill where he then graduated from Haverhill Trade School, class of 1952. A Veteran of the Korean War, he proudly served in the U.S. Navy and was honorably discharged in 1956.
Paradis was employed as a manufacturing technician, starting at AT&T and retiring in 1990 from Lucent Technologies in North Andover after 35 years of service. After retiring, he worked part time in the local funeral industry. His involvement in the local community and charitable organizations were immeasurable. He was active in the Haverhill Elks Lodge #165, passed exaulted ruler, past district deputy and life member, and became Massachusetts state president of the organization, serving in 1992 and 1993 faternal year. He was also a member of the Knights of Columbus #202 Haverhill.
He married his high school sweetheart in 1955. Nancy J. (Welford) Paridis and her new husband then began their journey together that would last 60 years. They raised three children, living in the Riverside section of Haverhill.
A devoted husband, father and grandfather, he is survived by his wife of Atkinson, N.H., a son; Michael S. Paradis and his wife, Paula, of Haverhill; two daughters, Debra Mizia and her husband, Richard, of Havertown, Penn., and Sandra Clyne and her husband, John, of Islip Terrace, Long Island, N.Y.; 10 grandchildren, Aaron Paradis, Lucas Paradis, Kyle Paradis, Matthew Gardner, Mallory Mizia, Samantha Clyne, Jacqueline Clyne, Julie Clyne, Shelby Clyne, and John “Jack” Clyne; and nieces and nephews. He was predeceased by his brother, Richard Paradis and sister, Elizabeth “Betty” Reynolds.
Friends and family are respectfully invited to call on Monday from 4 to 7 p.m. at the Kevin B. Comeau Funeral Home, 486 Main St. (route 125) Haverhill. Funeral services will be Tuesday morning beginning at 9 from the funeral home with a Mass of Christian Burial to be celebrated at 10 in All Saints Church, 120 Bellevue Ave. Haverhill. Burial will follow at Linwood Cemetery, Mill St. Haverhill. Past state presidents of the Massachusetts Elks Association will perform their ritual on Monday evening at 6 p.m.
good man