Paul Robert Collette

Paul Robert Collette was born April 21,1949 to Reginald and Norma Collette in Spencer, Massachusetts. Paul's journey through life was highlighted by a passionate commitment to work and family.

In his early years in Spencer, Paul indulged in the wonders of childhood, spending his days sledding down snowy New England hills and racing through the neighborhood on his bike with friends. Those memories include days spent fishing alongside  grandparents and gathering berries with his grandpa.

Around the age of seven, Paul and his family relocated to Webster, Massachusetts, where he embarked on his educational journey at St. Anne School and later graduated from Bartlett High School in 1967. His early years were enriched by his active involvement in the Cub Scouts and Boy Scouts, nurturing his love for the outdoors and leadership development. On the diamond, he became known as "Killer Collette" in Little League baseball, showcasing his incredible skill in hitting deep into the outfield and causing collisions among outfielders attempting to catch the ball.

Paul pursued higher education through the ROTC program at Norwich University, where he distinguished himself by graduating second in his class with an honors degree in Business Administration. His professional journey began with a role in administration at "Chess King" in Worcester, Massachusetts, and later became a regional manager.

Stepping out of the corporate world and reaffirming his entrepreneurial spirit as a small business owner, Paul ventured into the realm of specialty coffee and opened the "Coffee Beanery" at the Beaver Valley Mall in Monaca, Pennsylvania. Always the conversationalist, he combined flexibility, wit, and extensive product knowledge to tailor his interactions and provide each person with exactly what they needed. This innate ability quickly endeared him to the community, and his leadership style inspired employees to want to work for him. He lived in a waterfront community at the time, but moved after retirement to Port Richey, FL.

Paul married Kay Collette on April 12, 1975. They had a son, Jared, whose life journey led him to South Korea, where he resides with his wife, Sujin, and their twin boys, Ethan and Lewin. Paul's love and connection to his family remained strong through countless hours spent conversing online and via cell phone, with a steady stream of baby pictures warming his heart during the past year.

Paul is survived by his loving sisters, Ann Provost of Plymouth, Massachusetts, and Lois Klansek of Tioga, Pennsylvania, as well as several nephews and a niece. He will be missed by all who knew and loved him.

While flowers are appreciated, the family asks that any memorial donations go to the Alzheimer’s Association. In a world filled with individuals and hospitals that are unprepared for the multifaceted, nuanced, and personal challenges facing each individual wrestling with the disease, the Alzheimer’s Association hotline team brings reassurance, clarity, and actionable steps to loved ones facing seemingly insurmountable situations.

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