Paul Eugene Riel

Paul Eugene Riel, 97, a lifelong resident of Pittsfield, NH until 2012, passed away at Epsom Manor on March 7, 2021. Paul was born April 2, 1923 to William V. and Albertina (Currier) Riel.

He attended Pittsfield schools and was a proud WWII Veteran serving in the Air Force. He spent most of his life as a truck driver for oil companies, HP Hood and Sons, Rich Plan of Northern New England, and R.C. Foss and Son. In his retirement, he drove van to and back from Claremont, NH on Tuesdays to bring local residents their weekly Suncook Valley Sun newspaper and enjoyed filling in at the Epsom Post Office.

He loved music and for several years in his earlier years was a drummer with the Doc Carpenter Band. He loved big band music to the end and attended the Armed Forces band concerts as much as he could.

He was a member of the Pittsfield Fire Department for twenty-three years, retiring in 1976 as deputy chief. Nothing pleased him more than seeing his son, David, follow in his footsteps. He took great pride in telling everyone that his son was the Fire Chief in Warren, NH for 28 years.

He enjoyed the outdoors, camping, and fishing. Paul and his wife Theresa started their camping journey visiting local campgrounds and bringing their children each summer to Hermit Island in Maine. Their first seasonal site was at Sandy Beach Campground in Contoocook in 1978. A few years later, they settled with a seasonal beach site at Cascade Park Campground in Loudon. There, he started and ran the children's fishing derby for 12 years and became the man everyone placed their corn orders with as he would pick up local corn each week for delivery throughout the campground.

Paul had a quick wit and was known as quite the jokester. He enjoyed coming up with funny costumes and sharing his newest (and usually inappropriate) joke. He very much enjoyed playing tricks on everyone, especially several members of the Pittsfield and Epsom Postal Service.

In April of 2018, Paul laid his beloved wife of 68 years, Theresa (Sherburne) Riel, to rest. He was heartbroken and has longed to be reunited with her. His family finds much comfort in knowing they are together again and Paul is probably already being dragged on a two mile walk because "he needs to get out and air his britches".

Paul is survived by his daughter Debra Mulkhey of Loudon, NH and her husband Melvin, and his son David Riel of Piedmont, NH and his wife Jenette; seven grandchildren Hilary Denoncourt (Edward), Heidi Gilman (Matthew) Heath Mulkhey (Valerie), Haleigh Preisendorfer (Devon), David Riel (Nicole), Courtney Page (Brian) and Evan Riel (Jacquelyn); thirteen great-grandchildren, Shelby Denoncourt, Wyatt and Garrett Gilman, Zoey and Henry Mulkhey, Daisy and Myles Preisendorfer, Riley and Sadie Hentschel, Olivia and Jaida Dunnack and Charles and Abby Page, and several nieces and nephews.
Paul was the 'baby' of 8 siblings (3 brothers plus 5 sisters of which lived into their late eighties to late nineties with the exception of 1 sister who died as a young woman.

There will be no calling hours. A graveside service will be held at Floral Park at a later date.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Vintage Hill Assisted Living, 10 Berry Avenue, Pittsfield, NH 03263.