MONTPELIER, VT – Ora H. Paul, 92, a long-time Montpelier resident passed away on November 13, 2023, at Chestnut Place in Berlin. Ora was born on July 9, 1931, in Randolph, VT, son of Arthur G. Paul and Winona M. Paul of Woodstock, VT. He attended schools in Woodstock, graduating high school in 1949. Ora continued his education at U.V.M., Northampton Commercial College, graduating from American International College in 1957 with a B/S in business administration. This schooling was interrupted while Ora served in Korea with the 13th Combat Engineers (attached to the 7th Division) reaching the rank of Sargent. After graduation he worked for Sears Roebuck & Company in Lewiston, ME, the Internal Revenue Service in both Burlington, and Montpelier as a Revenue Agent. Ora joined the U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) in 1966 as a Loan Officer rising to the position of District Director from which he retired in 1990.

Following retirement, he was active in SCORE (Service Corps of Retired Executives); the National Association of Retired Federal Employees, Washington County US Government Employees Credit Union (now part of Green Mountain Credit Union). Ora was a member of the Montpelier Elks Club and the Green Mountain Chapter of National Family Motor Coach Association.

In September 2021, the Honor Flight invited Ora to Washington, DC as token of appreciation for his time served in the Korean War. The Honor Flight recognizes American veterans for their service, sacrifice, and achievements.

He is survived by his wife of 60 years, Marlene W. Paul (Montpelier, VT), a daughter, Michelle M. Paul and her husband George Gerrish, Jr. (Barre, VT), a son Janes Paul and his companion Patti Levine (Windham, ME), two grandsons, Alex Marinelli and his wife Amber (Swanton, VT), and their children, Nick Marinelli, and his wife Julia (Barre, VT). Ora was pre-deceased by his brother James E. Paul. Ora is also survived by the Wood and Brown families of Weathersfield, VT and the Messier family of Springfield, VT.

A Celebration of Life will be held at Chestnut Place in Berlin, VT, on Sunday, November 19th, from 2:00 pm to 4:00 pm. In lieu of flowers, we invite you to donate to Central VT Home Health and Hospice. A burial service will be held at the VT Veterans Memorial Cemetery, Randolph, VT in the spring of 2024.