Allenstown, NH:  Rev. Paul H. Dionne, retired Pastor of the Atkinson Congregational Church, died unexpectedly on January 24, 2022, at Concord Hospital, following a brief illness.

Born in Nashua, NH, son of the late Robert and Lorraine (Bechard) Dionne, Paul attended Nashua schools and was a member of the Nashua High School Class of 1967. He attended Keene State College and received his bachelor's degree in Philosophy at Maryknoll Seminary in Glen Ellyn Ill. Paul enlisted in the U.S. Air Force in 1971, serving as a Sergeant until his honorable discharge in 1975. He joined the Nashua Police Department in 1976 and served the City of Nashua until called to the ministry in 1983.

Paul attended Lancaster Theological Seminary in Pennsylvania and was licensed as a minister. While a divinity student, he served as an Associate Pastor at the Zion Church in Millersville, PA. Ordained by the United Church of Christ in June of 1986 at First Church of Nashua, Pastor Paul was named an Associate Pastor at Plymouth Church, Shaker Heights, Ohio. Two years later, he was called as Pastor of Salem Church, Marion, OH and later Peace Community Church of Waldo, OH.

In 1999, Pastor Paul, was welcomed as Pastor of the Atkinson Congregation Church and served in that capacity until 2015. During his tenure he built the membership of the congregation and performed numerous baptisms, weddings and funerals for his members. A well respected and loved member of the local clergy, Pastor Paul was unofficially known as "Atkinson's Pastor". He served as Chaplain for the Atkinson Police and Fire Departments and the Atkinson Veterans Club. He also served as the Chaplain of the New Hampshire State Police Academy and helped to preside over graduations ceremonies for the past twenty years. Over the years, Pastor Paul was a mentor to many young clergy members and a respected friend to other local clergy.

Pastor Paul found his greatest fulfillment in his ministry by providing family and grief counseling. Following his retirement from the Atkinson Congregational Church in 2015, he assumed the position as Chaplain of Brookside Chapel & Funeral Home of Plaistow and Berube-Comeau Funeral Home of Haverhill. He made many wonderful connections and long-lasting friendships with grieving families as well as the funeral home staff. He has been a resident of Allenstown since 2015.

A devoted husband, father and grandfather, Pastor Paul enjoyed playing board games and cards with his granddaughters. He also enjoyed birdwatching and the backyard nature that surrounded his former home on Main Street in Atkinson and his new home in Allenstown. He always looked forward to rides to the beach and other places, usually ending with a dining out experience with his wife Cathy. Paul also loved vacationing with Cathy on Long Beach Island, NJ, and Amelia Island and Sannibel Island in Florida. Locally, he enjoyed day trips to Federal Jack's in Kennebunkport, Maine and was a proud twenty year Mug Club member.

He will be sadly missed and lovingly remembered by his devoted wife of fifty-years, Catherine T. (Tretter) Dionne, his loving daughter, Julia (Dionne) Roberts of Concord, his two cherished granddaughters, Mia J. Robert and Zoe C. Roberts, of Concord, a brother and sister-in-law, Raymond and Clairese Dionne of Albany,NY, a sister and brother-in-law, Jeanne and David Johnson of South Carolina, and several nieces, nephews and cousins. He was predeceased by two brothers, Robert and Maurice Dionne.

Relatives and friends are invited to Pastor Paul's Life Celebration to be held on Friday, February 4, 202 from 4 to 7 p.m. at Brookside Chapel & Funeral Home, 116 Main Street, Plaistow, NH. His funeral service will be held on Saturday, February 5, 2022, at 11 a.m. at Grace Capitol Church, 542 Pembroke St. Pembroke, NH. The rendering of Military Honors by the U.S. Air Force will immediately follow the service. In lieu of flowers the family requests that donations be made to: Tunnel to Towers Foundation, 2361 Hylan Blvd, Staten Island, NY, or to Hooksett Christian Fellowship, 290 West River Road, Hooksett, NH. To send a message of condolence to the family or to share a special memory, please visit brooksidechapelfh.com .