Paul Henry Magnant was born on June 27, 1953, at Heaton Hospital in Montpelier, Vermont, to Leon Royce Magnant of Franklin, VT, and Therese Marie Coutu Magnant of North Troy, VT. Paul grew up in a lively and close-knit family, the second of seven children: Michael (1951-2025), Charles (1955), Patrice (1956), John (1958), William (1961) and Marie (1963).

Leon and Therese, both University of Vermont graduates (Class of '49), married in 1950. Leon spent his career with the Vermont Department of Transportation, while Therese began as a teacher before raising their growing family. The family moved from Waterbury to Putnamville and eventually settled in Worcester in 1957.

Paul began his education in a one-room schoolhouse and excelled early in academics. In 1970, he won the statewide Math Competition and graduated from Montpelier High School in 1971. After a brief apprenticeship at General Electric, Paul joined the U.S. Air Force, seeking a future in electronics. He completed basic training in San Antonio, Texas, then trained in Biloxi, Mississippi. Though initially assigned as a radio operator, a chance conversation with a brigadier general helped him pursue his true interest: electronics. This led to advanced training in Oklahoma City with the FAA and eventually, a return to Keesler AFB to work on large computer databases.

Honorably discharged in the spring of 1977, Paul reconnected with Jayne, a former neighbor from Worcester and a college student in Manchester, NH. Jayne graduated and returned to Vermont and began work with a Montpelier CPA firm; Paul began his career with Digital Equipment Corporation (DEC). They married on October 29, 1979, in Kissimmee, Florida, and settled in Essex Junction, VT, where they raised their two children, Christopher (born 1981) and Stephannie (born 1982).

Paul and Jayne created a warm home life—first in Essex and then in Richmond—surrounded by family, friends, and pets. Their early years were filled with gardening, neighborhood friendships, and camping adventures. Paul’s work assignments occasionally took him to Massachusetts, but he was devoted to returning home each weekend.

With encouragement from a friend, Paul took up golf and even earned his pilot's license, though he ultimately found more joy in grounding himself with family and outdoor hobbies. He was a dedicated hockey dad and steadfast supporter of Stephannie’s gymnastics, Girl Scouts, and school activities.

As their children grew and graduated, the family continued to build memories, especially at Daniels Pond in West Glover, where Paul and Jayne bought land in 2009. After years of summer camping, they built a home there in 2016 and eventually moved in full-time in 2019. They also bought a retirement home in Fort Myers, Florida, with the intention of being "snowbirds". Together, Paul and Jayne enjoyed playing golf, traveling to professional golf tournaments - even as far away as Scotland, where they attended the 2019 Solheim Cup and were able to visit the grounds of the family castle in Angus, Scotland. Other memorable trips made included: Cambridge & London, England, Alaska, Hawaii, Sedona and the Grand Canyon, and the Caribbean islands of St John and St Lucia. They also enjoyed many gatherings with friends and family playing cards, dominoes, and other games.

Paul’s professional journey post Digital included roles at SelectTech, AirMouse and Upstate Biometrics, where he contributed to innovations in computer input devices and biometric security, including early fingerprint authentication technology. He retired in 2022 due to health concerns, leaving behind a legacy of quiet brilliance, curiosity, and devotion to family.

Through every phase of life—as a son, brother, husband, father, veteran, technologist, and friend—Paul Magnant lived with integrity, warmth, and purpose. His life story is one of thoughtful innovation, gentle strength, and deep, enduring love.

He leaves his wife of 46 years, Jayne, son Christopher (Tina) and daughter Stephannie (Michael) Van Nostrand; grandchildren Hudson and Everest Van Nostrand and Christian and Charlotte Magnant; five siblings, Charles (Hank) of CA and Isle La Motte, Patrice (Mark) Maloney of Williston, John (Burlington), William (Judy) of Burlington, Marie (Alfred) Thomas of So Burlington; his mother-in-law Audrey Richardson of Worcester, his aunt Joyce Coutu of Essex Jct. and nieces, Cameron (Dan) O’Shaunessy of Williston and Elise Magnant (Kagan) of Plainfield. Brothers-in-law Bruce (Judy) Richardson, Brian (Judy) Richardson, Barry (Andrea) Richardson, and sister-in-law Janet (Joseph) Staub, as well as numerous nieces, nephews, and cousins from his and Jayne's families. He was predeceased by his parents, brother Michael, and numerous aunts and uncles on both the Magnant and Coutu families.

Paul also leaves many special, close friends whose relationships were cherished by him, especially Dan & Karen Fossi of Glover & NC; John & Shirley FitzGerald of Alburgh & FL, whose friendships go back over 45 years, and his high school best friend, Dorsey (Cindy) Holsinger of Texas.

Calling hours: Guare & Sons, Montpelier 2/7/2026 1-3 p.m.

In lieu of flowers, please feel free to contribute to the following in Paul's memory: Orleans-Essex Counties VNA & Hospice in Newport, VT, or The American Lung Association.