DUDLEY - Paul L. Patenaude, 69, died Friday, July 15, 2016 in his home after being stricken ill.
He leaves a sister, Jeanne Nadeau, her husband Donald Nadeau and 2 nieces, Maria and Roxanne Nadeau, all of Johnston, RI.
He was born in Pawtucket, RI and raised in Central Falls, son of the late Lawrence P. and Jacqueline C. (Perron) Patenaude. He graduated from the former Sacred Heart Academy in 1965. He earned a Bachelor of Arts in 1969 and a Master of Arts in Agency Counseling in 1977, both at Rhode Island College. He lived in Lincoln, Woonsocket and Thompson, CT before moving to Dudley in 1987.
He was an Air Force veteran of the United States Air Force, serving in Southwest Asia.
Mr. Patenaude first taught English at Bellingham Memorial High School and then at Holy Name High School in Worcester, where he also chaired the English Department. He then taught English courses at Shepherd Hill Reginal High School and again chaired the English department, retiring in 2006. While there, he served as the boys varsity tennis coach. He then taught several courses for the WISE program at Assumption College. He belonged to the U.S. Tennis Association.
A memorial Mass will be held Friday, July 22, at 11:00 in Saint Roch’s Church, 334 Main Street, Oxford. There are no calling hours. Donations may be made to the Down Syndrome Society of Rhode Island, 99 Bald Hill Rd., Cranston, RI 02920. Arrangements are under the direction of Sitkowski & Malboeuf Funeral Home, 340 School Street, Webster.