Eliot, ME - Paul Frederick Asbell Jr., 70, loving husband, brother, father, and grandfather passed away peacefully on December 14, 2021.

Paul was born on June 13, 1951 to Paul and Margaret Asbell. Paul, known to his family growing up as Skip, had a rich and happy childhood in Alstead, NH.  Many weekends were spent fishing as a family. At the end of the day it was not unusual to come home with 50 fish, the limit, each time out. He also learned to hunt with his Dad. They shared a passion for nature and walking in the woods. Deer, duck, rabbit, and squirrel were all fair game and he and his Dad filled the family table many nights with their catch.

Evenings were spent as a family driving back roads at dusk looking for deer. Snowshoeing and ice fishing in winter were something he also enjoyed. And he would go sliding for hours with his little twin sisters, Cathy and Cindy.

Paul took piano lessons as a child and became an accomplished musician and music lover. In high school he was both in the marching band and the orchestra. He also played the trumpet and each Memorial Day in Alstead when the parade stopped in the middle of town, he would sneak behind the Shedd Porter Memorial Library and had the honor of playing the taps echo.

Paul's high school years were full and active. Student council, band, national honor society, and football were just a few of the activities he participated in. He helped form a rock band in his senior year, The Thirteenth Hour, They had many gigs in the area and were quite popular. Paul played keyboards,

After receiving his undergraduate degree at UNH he went on to earn his Master's in Education from the University of New Hampshire and was a middle school principal for over 25 years. He touched the lives of many during his tenure as a school principal at Rochester, Marshwood and Pennichuck middle schools. He transformed all three traditional jr. high schools into middle schools which focus on meeting the social, emotional, and learning needs of each student. Many staff and students recall Paul with a special fondness and "as the best principal" they ever had. In 2011 he was named middle school principal of the year in the State of New Hampshire.

Paul loved football and every Sunday looked forward to watching his favorite team, the Patriots. When his boys, Tim and Chris, played high school and college football, he was an avid and loyal supporter, rarely missing a game. When his grandsons, Logan and Ethan, came along, he followed their games, as well, even if it meant a 5 hour drive to New York. Paul enjoyed watching his third grandson, Peregrine, play baseball and earn various karate belts.

Possibly his biggest talent was his ability to connect with people. People were drawn to Paul. He treated all he encountered– family, friends, work colleagues, and his students, with fairness and respect. Easy to laugh and quick with a kind word, Paul encouraged and brought out the best in everyone. His sense of humor was sharp, and his love of gin strong. Fly fishing was a passion and he would be especially pleased when he caught a big one on a dry fly he tied.  Often at the end of the day he would share a martini with the love of his life, Esther, while they enjoyed the sunset. The two were married in 2004 and their love grew deeper each day while they moved through a journey full of caring, kindness, and laughter.

Paul will be greatly missed by his wife Esther, his two sons Tim and Chris, his sister Cindy and brother-in-law Jerry, sister-in -law Kass, brother-in-law Michael, and many other close family members and friends. Calling hours will be at the J S Pelkey and Son Funeral Home located at 125 Old Post Rd, Kittery, ME 03904 on Tuesday, December 21, from 4-6PM. Care of the Asbell Family has been entrusted to the J S Pelkey and Son Funeral Home.