Paul A. Boivin 

ADDISON  Paul A. Boivin, 64, died in a motorcycle accident on Sunday, Sept. 24, 2017.

Born Nov. 6, 1952, in Rumford, Maine, to Albert and Jacqueline Caron-Boivin, Paul was the youngest of six children. In 1958 his family moved to Addison, Vt. to begin a life of farming.

After graduating Rice Memorial High School in 1971, Paul pursued a dairy-farming career in partnership with his family. With his brother, Mark Boivin, the farm doubled in size and implemented many farming innovations. In cooperation with UVM, they installed the first solar-heated milking parlor in Vermont. After 50 years, the dairy farm was converted to production of soybeans and corn for feed and fuel. Later, with UVM, they did a controlled study of strip-till planting of corn in Addison County. Paul also managed Boivin Farm Supply and the sale and installation of corn burning boilers.

Passionate about community service, Paul partnered with his brother Mark as a vocal and active participant in his community while milking twice a day. Paul worked on the planning commission for the town of Addison, was a founding member of Town Line First Response Squad, and served on the Addison fire department for a number of years. As a certified CPR instructor and EMTI, he was an active member on the Vergennes Rescue Squad for nearly four decades. He also trained fellow members of the Mad River Glen Ski Patrol, and many community organizations.

Paul was instrumental in developing the Farm Medic Program, which is used statewide to instruct health providers in the specialized skills needed for working with farmers. Paul also served his community though his work as a third degree member of the Knights of Columbus.

With a zest for life and a keen curiosity, Paul was very forgiving and never held a grudge. Along with the demands of farming he was able to pursue many interests and had a willingness to help all whom he met. He was always eager to try new experiences and to share what he had learned from his participation in various sports and service organizations.

His interest included hunting, skiing, kayaking, barbequing, scuba diving, motorcycling, tinkering with machinery, traveling, and flying. He enjoyed learning and visiting with people of all walks of life. A family man, Paul loved people, visiting, and learning.

A loving husband, father, brother and owner, he is survived by his wife Marianna Shadroui Boivin, his daughter Aimée, and four siblings: Carmelita Boivin-Cole, Claire, John and Mark Boivin, and numerous nieces and nephews. He is predeceased by his parents, his brother Robert, and his good friend and pet Biscuit.

Visiting hours will be on Friday, Sept. 29, at Brown-McClay Funeral Home in Vergennes from 5 to 8 p.m. A mass of Christian burial will be celebrated 2 p.m. on Saturday, Sept. 30, at St. Peter’s Church in Vergennes.

Paul strongly supported the immigrant community; therefore, contributions may be made in his honor to the to The Open Door Clinic, 100 Porter Drive Middlebury, VT 05753. Please consider sharing your stories and memories of Paul in written form to be placed in a memory book for his family. Mail to the Brown-McClay Funeral Home. Send online condolences to brownmcclayfuneralhomes.com