NEW DURHAM, N.H. — On Tuesday, Aug. 19, as the sun was setting, Paul William “Animal” Dumont passed away, surrounded by his loved ones.
Dad’s life of adventure began on Nov. 10, 1952 in Sanford, Maine. His parents, Raymond Armand Dumont and Esther Marion (Grinnell) Dumont, met working in the textile mills in Sanford, and married shortly thereafter in 1950.
After Esther’s passing, when Paul was 2, he was raised with the help of extended family, particularly “Aunt Doe” and “Gram Hanson.” In 1961, Ray Dumont married Ida Lemieux, who “raised Paul as her own.” Around this time, Dad started developing his business acumen, selling jelly doughnuts for a small markup in the fifth grade. After watching the Beatles on the Ed Sullivan Show, Dad eschewed any ambitions for the priesthood to pursue a more rebellious lifestyle. As he grew his hair long, his ambitions broadened, and he went global.
He always remarked that one should “never forget where you come from,” and maintained important connections to, and lessons from, his roots. From the pool halls of Sanford to those he met along his world travels, friendships were his most treasured assets. Those lucky enough to be along for the ride experienced his generosity, eccentricities, passion for living and his unique mastery of colorful language. While he loved to drive “the girls” crazy at Kokopelli and DuCo Sales with his antics, he was proud of the work they all did to help build his businesses. Never one to shy away from mixing business and friendship, a handful of these dear friends worked with him for many years and became family.
Dad was nothing if not passionate. He freely offered his opinions to everyone within earshot on anything from politics to the environment to wine and women. An avid reader of the New York Times, London Financial Times, David McCullough, Nietzsche and Penthouse Magazine, he had decided the world was going to hell, but he was determined to have a great time on the way.
Dad’s greatest joys in his life were living well and bragging about us, his children (which was only matched by his love of giving us s#!t).
He is survived by: his four kids and their spouses, Chris and Jen Dumont, Michelle “Piper” Dumont and Rev. Tamara Torres McGovern, Shawn and Ali Dumont, and Noëlle and Mark Vieira. His love of us extended to our friends who were not only treated to dinner and fun, but also considered extended family.
He also leaves behind: three grandchildren, Henry and William Dumont, and Mabellene Ray Vieira; his ex-wife and mother of his children, Cathy Wilson; his most cherished stepmother, Ida Dumont; and his brother, Mark Dumont and his family.
We look forward to connecting faces with the names of dear friends and accomplices from the many, many, many unbelievable stories of his life that shaped our childhood. We’ll see you at his memorial celebration of life, which will be held at the First Congregational Church, 115 South Main St., Wolfeboro, on Friday, Aug. 29 at 4:30 p.m. followed by a light reception. A Mass of Christian burial will be celebrated on Saturday, Aug. 30 at 10 a.m. at St. Thérèse of Lisieux Parish, Holy Family Church, 66 North Ave., Sanford, Maine, which will be immediately followed by a gathering of family for the interment of his ashes at St. Ignatius Cemetery. His impact continues, and, no doubt, it’s a different place without Paul Dumont. Toast him and keep the stories alive! In lieu of flowers, memorial donations in his memory may be made at earthjustice.org. Condolences may be expressed at www.blackfuneralhomes.com. Arrangements are under the direction of the Lafrance-Lambert & Black Funeral Home, 29 Winter St., Sanford, Maine.
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