Paul B. McClaine

Paul B. McClaine: September 27, 1944 – July 31, 2025

Paul B. McClaine passed on July 31, 2025 in the arms of his loving family, after an extended battle with cancer.

He was born in Schenectady, NY to Marion and Leland McClaine, and grew up on the McClaine’s Hillside Turkey Farm surrounded by a large and tight knit extended family and community dedicated to hard work, faith, and service to others. He graduated from Schalmont High School with his wonderful class of 1962. Paul continued his education at Upsala College in East Orange, NJ from1962-1966, where he graduated with a degree in history and political science. During college, he also began working for Saga Foods. He found passion and enjoyment not only in cooking and working in food service, but also in developing others, working as the head waiter supervising student staff.

Paul was drafted and proudly served his country in An Khe Vietnam from 1967-1968 as an E5 Signal for the United States Army. During his tour, he also stepped up to be the company cook after his own was killed in action. These experiences shaped and forever influenced his pride and respect for the members of our armed forces.

After his service to our country, Paul returned to Saga Foods and served as a manager and food service director from 1968 to 1973, serving colleges and universities throughout the Northeast.

Paul married his college sweetheart Gay Eileen Koppenhoefer on April 29, 1967. They were fortunate to spend 58 wonderful years together.

He and Gay moved back to the McClaine family farm in Princetown NY in 1973, where they built their beautiful home and he began working for the Niagara Mohawk power company. Paul would go on to work as a meter reader, power plant control room operator, and ultimately finished his career as an Eastern Regional Control Operator for National Grid, retiring in 2003.

Paul always taught us that the greatest gift one could give was the gift of time. He was known by all that knew him as a humble, patient and kind listener. He was never judgmental, always validating the importance of everyone’s feelings. He helped empower others to be the best of themselves and to serve others by providing the safe space for people to be open, whether it be with a conversation over a meal, a walk, run or hike, time around a fire pit or family gathering.

Paul is survived by his wife Gay Eileen, son Kyle McClaine (Katie), daughter Tara Bush (Brad), grandsons Justin and Jordan Bush, and granddaughter Caitlin McClaine. He is also survived by his brother James McClaine (Lisa), sister Gail Sanders (Alan), and many beloved cousins, nieces and nephews, who never failed to fill his heart and raise his spirits.

Paul was pre-deceased by his parents, Leland and Marion McClaine, and his brother and sister in law, Jerry and Sally McClaine.

Paul enjoyed history, geology, cooking, hiking, traveling, running, gardening and landscaping, but most of all, time spent with family was his greatest love and priority. Paul and Gay were fortunate enough to take several memorable extended vacations with family and close friends. They are known to always welcome any opportunity to entertain family, friends and neighbors, even for a quick impromptu visit. Paul’s famous and artistic platters of beautiful food creations for any important event were known far and wide, and were just one example of his trademark love and caring for others that defined his legacy.

In addition to family and neighbors, Paul and Gay’s extended church family have been a constant source of spiritual and emotional belonging and encouragement, not only for the last several trying years, but throughout their entire lives in Princetown. Paul shares with you one of his favorite verses as a model for all of our lives, Proverbs 3:5: “Trust in the Lord with all your heart, and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways submit to him, and he will make your paths straight.”

Paul has asked that in lieu of flowers, donations in honor of his life would be welcome at the Princetown Evangelical Presbyterian Church or the Veterans of Foreign Wars, both the sources of great pride and honor in his heart.