Obituary of Paul Holland Knowlton IV

Bangor--Paul H. Knowlton IV, 75, died Oct. 2, 2016 at a local hospital in Bangor, ME from injuries sustained in an automobile accident. Paul, or PK as most people knew him, was born March 7, 1941 in Washington, D.C. to the late Dr. Thomas A. and Virginia (Lynch) Knowlton. PK grew up in New York City (Manhattan) where he lived until he left for college where he received his Bachelor's Degree from the University of Maine, Orono in 1963. PK then went on to receive his Master's Degree in Large Animal Research at Orono. A few years later, to enhance his education in his chosen field, he received a second Bachelor's Degree in Emergency Medical Services. PK's emergency medical career began at the University of Maine as a volunteer at Orono Rescue as a Basic EMT, which sparked the fire for PK to embark on a 40-year career in emergency services. PK worked at MEDEC from 1976 until 1991, and then started at Capital Ambulance in 1991, and this included a 2-year stint as a paramedic for Life-Flight of Maine. He retired from his position at Capital Ambulance in 2013. He also worked at County Ambulance in Ellsworth part-time during this time and went on to work 3 shifts a week after leaving Capital, as he loved being a paramedic. Throughout all of this, PK found time to teach CPR at Eastern Medical Center and the Education and Training Center, both in Bangor. For many years he was a member of the EMS board in Augusta; a member of the State EMS Investigations Committee; member of Region IV EMS Council and served as its treasurer. Throughout his career he received many awards, the last one was being inducted into the EMS Hall of Fame on Nov. 9, 2013, an award of which he was very proud. He had a life-long learning affair with all aspects of EMS: taking classes, reading everything he could find, and being a source of knowledge and mentor for all of his fellow EMTs. One of Paul's favorite pastimes after he received his Notary license was to marry people, which he did on several occasions. The last ceremony he performed was the marriage of his niece, Rachel. Paul had several interests in addition to his lifetime work: For many years he held a private pilot license having made two trips to New York to visit family; he loved motorcycle trips to New York and throughout Maine; he and Davia enjoyed boating and fishing at their camp; he loved animals and over the years many a stray cat found their way to his home. In September of 1978, he married Davia Emily Pickett. PK is survived by his loving wife, Davia of Bangor; "baby" sister Susan (Knowlton) Orcutt and brother-in-law Alfred Orcutt of Poughkeepsie, NY; brother-in-law Jeffery McLeod and wife Patty of Levant; father-in-law George McLeod and wife Dottie of Eddington; sister-in-law Shelly Pickett and step-mother-in-law Katherine Pickett of Farmington, NM; several nieces and nephews: Melissa Orcutt Routson of Fresno, CA, Christopher Orcutt and wife Alexas of Millbrook, NY, Mandy Orcutt Mahoney and husband Dennis of Poughkeepsie, NY, Rachel McLeod and husband Lenny Lones of Winterport, Ben McLeod and wife Mallory Blake of Bethel, Jon McLeod of Levant, Samuel McLeod and wife Kelsey of Richardson, TX. In addition, Paul has 4 adopted daughters; Catherine Ann Simpson, Bethany R. Henderson, Susan M. Bishop, and Mary-Alice Ward. At Paul's request, in lieu of flowers, he requested that donations be made to support the no-kill animal rescue efforts of his niece at Rachel & Shannan Grooming Salon, PO Box 226, Winterport, ME 04496, who will ensure that his wishes are carried out. A memorial service with full EMS honors will be held at 10 a.m. Friday, Oct. 7, 2016 at Jeff's Catering,15 Littlefield Way, Brewer, ME. Messages and memories may be shared with his family at kileyandfoley.com. Arrangements by Kiley & Foley Funeral Service, 299 Union St., Bangor.