Paul A. Belouin, 78

HINSDALE, Mass. — Paul A. Belouin, 78, of 154 George Schnopp Road, Hinsdale, Mass., passed away on Friday, February 9, 2018, at Craneville Place in Dalton, Mass., following a courageous battle with brain cancer.

Paul is the eldest son of the late Wallace and Caroline (Cormier) Belouin, born January 15, 1940, in Adams, Mass., and grew up in North Adams, Mass. He is survived by his wife Nancy (Rocray) Belouin, whom he married on July 17, 1965, in North Adams, Mass.; and three daughters, Karen Tougas of Sutton, Mass., and her husband Richard, Deborah Durden of Clifton Park, N.Y., and her husband Reginald and Andrea White of Brookfield, Conn., and her husband Brian. Paul also leaves seven grandchildren, Lauren, Natalie, Jonathan, Nathan, Reginald, Logan and Lucas; as well as his three brothers, Peter Belouin, Bernard Belouin, and John Cormier; and several nieces and nephews.

Mr. Belouin graduated from St. Joseph High School in North Adams, Mass., and attended North Adams State College prior to enlisting in the United States Army. An Army veteran of the cold war, Paul served in LaRochelle, France, for two years during his years of military service. Mr. Belouin was employed by New England Telephone and retired from NYNEX in 1995 with 33 years of service. 

He was a volunteer and worked for Berkshire Center for Families and Children in Pittsfield following his retirement from the telephone company. Paul was a communicant of St. Agnes Parish in Dalton for over 50 years and a member of the Knights of Columbus. He and his wife raised their family in Dalton before moving to Hinsdale in 1998.

Faith, family, friends, nature-especially gardening, and French language and culture, were all very special to Paul and he sought out every opportunity to share these gifts with others. He was very proud to be one of the first chartered members of l’Association des Blouin d’Amerique. Paul’s gentle nature and kind compassionate heart touched many lives.

Funeral notice: Calling hours will be held Friday, February 16, 2018, at the Dery-Foley Funeral Home, 890 East Main Street, Dalton, Mass., from 4 to 7 p.m. A liturgy of Christian Burial will be Saturday, February 17, 2018, at 10 a.m. at St. Agnes Church with Rev. Christopher Malatesta, pastor, officiating. 

Burial will be in the Spring at Maple Street Cemetery in Hinsdale, Mass., In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Berkshire Center for Families and Children in care of the funeral home. A special Thank You to Hospice of Berkshire County and the staff at Craneville Place Nursing Home.