DANBURY ---- James Paul Michaud, 73, of Danbury and formerly of Laconia, passed away Friday, April 5, 2024, at the Granite VNA Hospice House in Concord.
James was born January 2, 1951, in Waterville, ME, the son of Henry Joseph Albert Michaud and Cecile Antionette (Reny) Michaud.
He attended Notre Dame Catholic School, Waterville Jr. High, and graduated from Waterville High School in 1969. He attended Manchester Jr. College and the University of Connecticut for three years before returning to work at the Institute of Living in Hartford, CT, where he had many lifelong friends.
He worked at Cives Steel Company in Augusta, ME, and later was an assistant manager at Sherwin Williams in Stratham. He returned to Maine after marriage and worked as a market representative for Sherwin Williams in the Port, South Port and Westbrook (ME) areas for three years. He decided he knew more than enough to start his own painting business, so the couple returned to New Hampshire, settling in Exeter, where he had a 20-man crew and was a very successful painting contractor.
He and his wife bought a home in Dover and raised three children and, for several years, it was good before the recession hit and they returned to Winslow, ME, where he sold furniture. He later returned to Laconia.
A lifelong boater, James owned a yacht in Portland, ME, and often went “big fishing” with the DiMillo’s Yacht Club in Portland, ME, as well as fishing in Snow Pond in ME, Lake Winnipesaukee, and Newfound Lake. With the gift of gab, James loved to talk to everyone and often had a story or joke to share. He loved music and was the lead singer and guitarist for his band, “The Chevelles”, loved hunting, motorcycling, and playing Santa, and enjoyed playing with his cats and dogs. His favorite times were spent with family, especially with his little sisters, Nancy and Patty, and his grandchildren, Hailey, Trevor and Helena.
James leaves three children, Christy Michaud of Danbury, Kevin Michaud and Aleesha Rhude, of Alexandria, and Marcus Michaud of Waterville, ME; a brother, Douglas Michaud and his wife, Margo, of Deland, FL; three sisters, Nancy Michaud and Kyle Daigle of Winslow, ME, Patty Oliver and her husband, Alton, of Weeks Mills, ME, and Jessica of Danbury; grandchildren, Hailey Johnson of Gilford, Trevor Michaud of Alexandria, and Helena Provencher of Danbury; his ex-wife, Gayle Michaud of Danbury; and 7 nieces and 4 nephews, all of Maine. He was predeceased by his parents, a sister, Gloria Cormier, and a brother-in-law, Donald Cormier.
For those who wish, memorial donations may be made to the Boston Children’s Hospital, 2 Brookline Place, Brookline, MA 02445.
There will be no services.
Wilkinson-Beane-Simoneau-Paquette Funeral Home & Cremation Services/603Cremations.com, 164 Pleasant St., Laconia, NH, 03246, is assisting the family with arrangements. For more information and to view an online memorial, please visit wilkinsonbeane.com.