Joseph “Paul” Cormier, 83, of The Villages, Florida, and Massachusetts, passed away on April 2, 2026, with his family at his side.

Paul was born in Digby, Nova Scotia. He first lived in Somerville, Massachusetts, and was later raised in Shirley, Massachusetts, where he graduated from Ayer High School.

As a young man, Paul owned and operated The Flying A Gas Station in Leominster, Massachusetts. It was there that he built his Willys drag car, continuing his passion for racing throughout New England.

Later in life, he worked as a mechanic for UPS in Leominster. After 13 years, he returned to self-employment and founded A-1 Overhead Door Company in Lunenburg, Massachusetts. He also founded Pleasant Auto and A-1 Marine.

Boating was a great passion of his. Paul and his wife Linda spent many years enjoying the ocean out of Cape Ann Marina in Gloucester, Massachusetts, and made three memorable trips across the Bay of Fundy to Nova Scotia, Canada.

He later found his “heaven on earth” in a cottage in Buzzards Bay, where he enjoyed summers on Buttermilk Bay, continually improving and personalizing his special retreat. Still full of energy and recognizing a need, he founded Canal Garage Door Company as a part-time business before eventually retiring to enjoy more time on the water.

Paul began wintering in Florida, first purchasing a home in Cocoa. After 10 years, he moved to The Villages, where he embraced the lifestyle and especially enjoyed the Abbey Way driveway gatherings for the past 14 years.

He would have loved to attend a special BBQ gathering this summer in Massachusetts, hosted by the gentleman who purchased Paul’s Willys drag car and is restoring it to its original racing condition. It was his wish to have Paul see the finished project and reconnect with those who shared those racing days.

Paul is lovingly remembered by his wife of 51 years, Linda (Brown) Cormier; his daughter, Lisa of Valdosta, Georgia; his son, Craig of Leominster, Massachusetts; his brother, Wayne (Patti) of Homosassa, Florida; his four grandchildren; five great-grandchildren; and many nieces and nephews.

He was predeceased by his daughter, Crystal; his brother, Raymond; and his parents.

A Celebration of Life will be held at a later date in Massachusetts.

In lieu of flowers, the family kindly requests donations be made to the charity of your choice.