Obituary of Paul M. Davignon

Davignon, Deacon Paul M.: teacher and lover—of God, of life, of family, of his extended family of students, colleagues, and parishioners. Born 3 July 1941. Died 5 February 2016 at Teresian House, Albany, NY of Alzheimer’s Disease. From his youth in Rhode Island, to his studies as Christian Brother Adrian James, FSC at Catholic University in Washington, DC; for an MA at Manhattan College; and for an MA at Teachers’ College of Columbia University, Paul’s life path has been through teaching and his Church. His constant caring and bright, peaceful outlook drew many to him. For over 40 years he taught Religion and World Languages at Christian Brothers’ Academy, Oakdale, Long Island; St. Cecilia’s High School, Englewood, NJ; St. Aloysius Academy, Jersey City, NJ; and Dwight Morrow High School, Englewood, NJ where he was friend and mentor to many and involved in the Teachers’ Union. Ordained a Deacon in the Archdiocese of Newark, NJ in June, 1978, his ministry evolved through New Jersey parishes, especially Church of the Ascension in New Milford and, finally, at St. Matthews RC Church, Voorheesville, NY. We hope that friends and family might join us and St. Matthew’s Parish, 25 Mountainview St, Voorheesville, NY 12186, in celebrating Paul’s entrance into eternal life: Reception of the Body and Funeral Vigil will be Friday, 12 February 2016 from 4 to 8 p.m.; Mass of Christian Burial Saturday, 13 February 2016 at 10 a.m., followed by a luncheon reception in the Parish Hall. Paul, the son of the late Maurice George Davignon of Pawtucket, RI and the late Marie Jeanne-Blanche née Paradis of New Bedford, MA, is survived by his wife of 46 years, Maryann Postava-Davignon of Delmar, NY; his 3 daughters, Laure-Jeanne Davignon of Knox, NY, Christi-Anne [Seth] Plough of Wayland, MA and Marielle Aimée Postava-Davignon, PhD of Bangor, ME; his granddaughters, Madeline Jeanne and Isabelle Aimée Plough; his brother Robert [Elizabeth] E. Davignon, Esq; many cousins, nieces, nephews; and innumerable students who knew they could always count on him, one of whom told him one looks back with appreciation to the brilliant teachers, but with gratitude to those who touched our human feelings. [Carl Jung] Our deepest thanks and appreciation to our friends at Teresian House in Albany for their dedicated care. In lieu of flowers, contributions are being accepted for the Paul M. Davignon Scholarship for Peace at Dwight Morrow. Checks made out to the scholarship can be mailed to Law Office of Kathleen M. Toombs, 157 Barrett St., Schenectady, NY 12305.