In Memory of Ronald Paradis

Obituary

Ronald Paradis, 88, of New Hartford, NY passed away on Wednesday, July 29, 2026 peacefully surrounded by his family.

He was born on February 5, 1938 in Old Town, Maine to Louis and Melvina (Duplissis) Paradis and was the eighth of their ten children. Ron graduated from John Bapst Memorial High School class of 1956 and received his Bachelor in accounting from the University of Maine at Orono in 1960. He served in the Air National Guard and had a long career working for Traveler’s and Citigroup Insurance companies as an account manager, retiring after nearly 40 years in 2000.

Ron treasured his family dearly. He was the devoted husband of Barbara (Locke) for 55 years. They had three sons together for whom he was very active in supporting their activities growing up. He was their little league and youth hockey coach. He dedicated most of his efforts to fostering his kids swimming careers by traveling the country for meets and holding various administrative positions within Niagara District of USA Swimming. He was an avid Syracuse sports fan, enthusiastically attending several bowl and final four games. In his retirement, he and his wife enjoyed traveling together, especially trips to Fenway Park to watch his beloved Boston Red Sox play.

Ron was committed to the Catholic Church and had a long history of community service within it. Ron volunteered his time for many years with several parishes in the area, most recently with St. John the Evangelist Church in New Hartford, NY where he served as treasurer of the Men’s Club and organized many volunteer activities and fundraising events. He also was an altar server for daily masses and funerals. Ron was particularly proud of serving as a board member for the Abraham House which provides end of life care for members of the community. He played a major role in the opening of their second home in Rome where he spent his last days under their exceptional and loving care.

Ron will always be remembered for his unique sense of humor, a dedicated husband, loving father and a man of unwavering faith.

Ronald is survived by his wife Barbara; children Andre (Jill) and Jean Paul of Vernon, NY and Gregory (Jennifer) of New Hartford, NY; sisters Yvonne Paradis and Rita Costello of Old Town, ME; brothers Gary of Old Town, ME and J. Alan (Paula) of Bangor, ME; seven grandchildren and many nieces and nephews. Besides his parents, he was preceded in death by sisters Madeline and Velma; brothers, Louis, Kenneth, and Donald; brother-in-law, Joseph Costello; sisters-in-law, Sally Paradis and Linda Paradis.

A private service will be held at St. Patrick’s church in Brasher Falls, NY with burial at Fairview Cemetery.

In lieu of flowers, the family kindly requests donations be made in Ron’s memory to the Abraham House of Rome, 417 N. Washington St, Rome, NY 13440. 

Funeral arrangements are with Friedel, Williams and Edmunds Funeral and Cremation Services, 13 Oxford Rd., New Hartford.

For online expressions of sympathy go to fwefh.com.