US Marine Corp Vet, Commercial Fisherman, Paul Bettencourt, Dies at 80
Monday, April 12, 2021
Paul “The Baitman” Bettencourt, 80, of Pawtucket, passed away peacefully at home with family by his side on Saturday, April 10, 2021. He was the beloved husband of Barbara R. (Stuart) Bettencourt for forty-three years.
Born in Providence, Paul was one of twenty-one children of the late John and Emelia (Pacheco) Bettencourt. He resided the majority of his adult life in Pawtucket.
Paul was a United States Marine Corps veteran of the Vietnam Era and went on to a lifelong career in the commercial fishing industry, where he gained the nickname and call sign, “The Baitman”.
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Amongst many other memorable achievements, he and his late brother, Joe, spearheaded the preservation of the Herring in the Ten Mile River, and now there is a fish ladder named for him at Omega Pond. Aside from all the work that Paul put into environmental preservation and education, he devoted himself to area youth, through his work with the Pawtucket School System. Paul was more than a volunteer. He always went out of his way to be there for the children of our community and became a “Second Dad” to so many. Paul’s legacy will live on and he will be lovingly remembered by all whose lives he has touched over the past eighty years.
Besides his loving wife, he leaves three daughters, Desiree Anderson and her fiancé, Sam Myers in Tennessee, Amanda Doucette and her husband, Gregg, of North Providence and Paula Bettencourt and her wife, Amanda I. Bettencourt of Stoughton, MA; seven grandchildren, Keyarra, Abigayle, Melina, Jocelyn, David, Bryan and Alex; two great-grandsons, David, and Antonio; a sister, Matilda Bettencourt of East Providence and many nieces, nephews, great-nieces, great-nephews, cousins, extended family, and dear friends.
Services will be held on Thursday at 11 a.m. at William W. Tripp Funeral Home, 1008 Newport Ave., Pawtucket. (Paul’s Services will also be available via Livestream at trippfuneralhome.com for those concerned with safety during Covid 19.
Public visitation will be held on Wednesday from 5 to 8 p.m. In lieu of flowers, memorial gifts to Save The Bay RI, 100 Save the Bay Drive, Providence, RI 02905, would be appreciated.
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