Retired Maine Judge Paul MacDonald dies

WOOLWICH – Paul A. MacDonald, a former Maine District Court judge and secretary of state, died Thursday at his home. He was 94.

MacDonald was born in Jefferson and graduated from Cony High School in Augusta before attending Suffolk University Law School in Boston, where he graduated in 1937.

Upon moving back to Maine, he practiced law and was elected clerk of the Committee of Legal Affairs of the Legislature.

In 1944, he was appointed deputy secretary of state, a position he held until 1960 when he was elected secretary of state.

In 1964, Republican Gov. John Reed appointed MacDonald to be the first judge of the newly created 6th District Court. He served two seven-year terms before retiring in 1978. He then completed 14 more years as an active retired judge.

MacDonald also wrote two books about his childhood experiences growing up in Jefferson and from his law school days until his retirement from the bench in 1994.

MacDonald, who was predeceased by his wife, is survived by a daughter, a son, a stepdaughter, a stepson, a brother and a sister.

At MacDonald’s request, there will be no funeral service. He will be cremated and his ashes scattered on his garden in Woolwich.