Andrew David Paulhus, 80, of Arundel, died peacefully Saturday morning, Jan. 22, 2022, at Gosnell Memorial Hospice House in Scarborough due to complications of Covid.
David was born Nov. 8, 1941, in Sanford, to the late Antonio and Evelyn (Garland) Paulhus and grew up in Arundel. As a youth he spent his summers caddying at the Cape Arundel Golf Club in Kennebunkport, every day riding his bike 5 miles each way. David was a graduate of Kennebunk High School, class of 1960.
After serving in the Army for three years, he went on to earn an associate degree in business at the University of Maine in Portland. He then decided to head south and landed at the University of Alabama. There he met his love and life partner, Shirley Carter. They met in an English class and married just three months later on Nov. 23, 1968.
Shirley and David settled back in Maine, mostly in Wells and Kennebunk. David developed an interest in books which expanded to painting, prints, maps and documents. He supported his family for over 50 years as an antiquarian book and art dealer. Early on, David did antique shows, traveling to New Orleans, Houston and Virginia. In Houston, he bought a Western hat and from then on you never saw him without it. David really enjoyed it when children would stop and say, “Hey Mom, there’s a cowboy.”
Over the years he met many lifelong friends, mostly fellow dealers, and many loyal customers. When David wasn’t traveling, he always had space for his books, whether in a heated garage, big barn, or scattered all over the house. He was well known for his dry wit and sense of humor.
When younger, David liked to play par 3 golf and have weekly poker games. He loved classic country music and especially Elvis Presley. He was an avid fan of the Boston Celtics, New England Patriots and the University of Alabama football team.
Most important of all, David loved his family. David leaves behind his wife of 53 years, Shirley; his daughter Rebecca Leah, and sons Michael David and Robert Wayne. He also leaves behind his sisters, Patsy Roberts of Yarmouth, Maine, Joan Fortier of Victoriaville, Canada, Barbara Lyman of Hermitage, Tennessee, and Anita Michaud of Arundel; and a brother, John Caddigan of California. He had a special fondness for his nephew Stephen Emerson of Arundel, as well as many other nieces and nephews.
David’s family would like to thank the doctors and nurses of Southern Maine Health Care for the care and support he received during the last three weeks of his life and also to the staff at the Gosnell Hospice House for the tender care he received there.
A graveside service will be held in the spring.
Should friends desire, donations in David’s memory can be made to the Animal Welfare Society, PO Box 43, West Kennebunk, ME 04094.
To share a memory or leave a message of condolence, please visit David’s Book of Memories Page at www.bibberfuneral.com.
Arrangements are in care of Bibber Memorial Chapel, 67 Summer St., Kennebunk, ME 04043.
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