OWLS HEAD — Paul L. Fowles, 74, died unexpectedly on March 18, 2016, from injuries sustained in an automobile accident in Washington.

Born in Rockland on Dec. 9, 1941, Paul was one of 12 children born to Clyde and Ernestine Lindsey Fowles. Educated locally, he attended Rockland schools. Following the death of his mother when Paul was young, he enlisted in the U.S. Navy when he was 17 years old. He served aboard an escort destroyer, the U.S.S. Losser. For most of his career, he was stationed off the Atlantic Coast of Cuba, even during the Cuban Missile Crisis. He served honorably until his discharge in 1962.

Returning stateside, Paul married Evelyn Bean in Camden at his brother's home. Together they raised four children. Paul spent his working career as a self-employed stone mason and carpenter. Over the years he has built many beautiful chimneys and homes in the area.

After his marriage ended, Paul has enjoyed the company of Claudette Boggs. For more than 20 years the two have taken care of each other, laughed together and even built their home together. Theirs was a relationship filled with love and compassion. Paul spent countless hours tending to his gardens and keeping the lawn immaculate. He loved being outside, greeting the neighbors, and playing with and giving treats to all the neighborhood dogs who knew to stop by his house on their daily walks.

Paul was a member of the Winslow-Holbrook-Merritt American Legion Post No. One in Rockland and he was proud of his service. He had a great sense of humor, quick wit and playful personality. He loved nothing more than playing tricks and pranks on family and friends alike, and always had a joke or story to tell. Spending time with his family was Paul's number one priority. He lived for his kids and grandchildren, always taking the time to attend their events and family gatherings.

He will be sadly missed by all who loved him.

Predeceased by four brothers, Ronald Fowles, Donald Fowles, Ben Fowles and Richard Fowles; three sisters, Dorothy Stone, Judith Harmon and Maria Belyea; and his former wife and the mother of his children, Evelyn Fowles in 2009; Paul is survived by his children, Renarda Mayo and her husband, Linden, of Weeks Mills, Roberta Gallagher and her husband, Frank, of Union, Tina Grover and her husband, Donny, of Hampden, and Dwight Fowles and his wife, Lori, of Warren; his companion of more than 20 years, Claudette Boggs of Owls Head; his grandchildren, Sarah Pike, Jacob Pike, Toby Pelletier, Brian Pelletier, Roxanne Pelletier, Erin Grover Bridges, Nicole Elliott and her husband, Bob, Stephanie Sabien, and Alex Fowles and his fiancée, Jessica Brunick; his siblings and their spouses, George and Joanne Fowles of South Thomaston, Archie and Barbra Fowles of Rockland, Gerald Fowles of Rockland, and Ernest and Beverly Fowles of Florida; his sisters-in-law, Mary Fowles of Camden and Sylvia Fowles of South Thomaston; Claudette's family, whom he considered his extended family, Kevin and Lisa Boggs and their son, Mitchell Sterling, of Camden, Sean Hall and his wife, Sherry Hall, of Bar Harbor and their children, Angela Hall and her fiancé, Merlin Dilly, and Patrick Walter Hall, and Angela's mother, Elaine Bechtel; as well as many great-grandchildren; and a large loving circle of extended family and friends.

A celebration of Paul's life will be held Saturday, March 26 at 11 a.m. at Burpee, Carpenter & Hutchins Funeral Home, 110 Limerock St. in Rockland. A reception will follow at 104 Limerock, the funeral home's reception facility. Private interment will take place at a later date at Maine Veterans Memorial Cemetery in Augusta.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Winslow-Holbrook-Merritt American Legion, Post No. One, P.O. Box 582, Rockland, ME 04841.