Mingo, Paul (1920-2006)

The Town of Gray Honor Roll is intended to be awarded to persons who, during their lifetime, demonstrated exceptional dedication, service, or other contribution to the Town of Gray. The Gray Town Council has recently recognized the latest recipient of this award: Paul Mingo.

Born to Ernest and Blanche [Smith] Mingo on Jan. 10, 1920, in Boston, Mass., Paul was raised and educated in New Gloucester. Paul served in the U.S. Air Force during World War II, surviving Pearl Harbor and earning a Purple Heart and a Distinguished Flying Cross. Upon his discharge, he became a heavy equipment mechanic.

Paul married the former Martha Elizabeth Tucker in Dayton, Ohio, on February 3, 1945, and they would have celebrated 62 years of marriage this coming February.

He moved with his family to Gray in 1955. Deeply committed to the community, he served as a town selectman, a recreation committee member, a member of the fire department, and a town constable. He also served his community as a deputy sheriff with the Cumberland County Sheriff’s Department for many years, patrolling Gray, New Gloucester and Raymond. He was a Master Mason in the Cumberland Masonic Lodge #12 in New Gloucester.

As his obituary stated, Paul was an avid outdoorsman, and enjoyed many years of adventure in the Maine outdoors. His many stories entertained those who encountered him at home, around the town, and on many mornings at the counter of Cole Farms. He enjoyed tinkering in his garage, and was able to find an inventive solution to any mechanical problem he encountered. In later years, he could often be found in his yard atop his tractor. Paul passed away on October 6, 2006.