Paul John Maynard – husband, father, friend to many; race-car driver, music lover, and jack-of-all-trades – died July 3, 2026. He was 84 years old. Born on August 29, 1941, on the family farm in Birch Hill, P.E.I., Paul was the first child of the late Stanley and Lois (née MacArthur) Maynard. He spent his childhood attending the one-room schoolhouse down the road and helping on the farm. At the age of eighteen, Paul headed to Ottawa, where he learned his first trade in his uncle Les MacArthur’s upholstery shop.

Paul’s beloved sisters, Elizabeth Andrews (1944-2009) and Rosemary Charron (1949-1985), followed in their older brother’s footsteps, making the Island-to-Ottawa trek, where the siblings each started families. Paul met and married Hazel (née Sweet, 1941-2014), and their first son, Steven Maynard (Bill Woods), was born in Ottawa. Elizabeth’s daughter, Julie (Colin) Millar, and Rosemary’s children, Paula Charron and Peter Charron (1979-2026), became Paul’s much-loved nieces and nephew.

In December 1967, Paul and family moved to Santa Clara, California, where a second son, Scott Maynard, was born, and where Paul began a second career as an aircraft engine mechanic. Often asked why the move to the U.S., the answer for Paul was obvious: in California, cars, including his coveted red, convertible ’57 T-Bird, wouldn’t rust.

A new chapter in Paul’s life began when he married Charlotte Shores (née Shipman, 1948-2006). With Charlotte’s children, Dana Shores and Tamara Shores, a new, expanded family came together. Many weekends were spent at the Fremont Dragstrip, where Paul raced the Chevy II Nova he’d built from the ground up, with Charlotte supplying the design and paint job for the "Mouse House" (mouse, Paul would tell you, being the nickname among car enthusiasts for Chevrolet’s small-block engine).

In 1978, Paul and Charlotte loaded up a truck with the kids, cats, and furniture and moved to Birch Hill to be closer to Paul’s parents as they got older. Paul built a new home next to the farmhouse he grew up in. Always hardworking, Paul did a series of jobs in his first years back home – upholstery in his own shop, building fishing boats, loading potatoes – until Atlantic Turbines fortuitously opened. The turboprop engine facility was tailor-made for Paul’s skillset and, in his time there, he made many longtime friends. When not working, Paul sang in the choir of the Port Hill St. James Anglican Church, just as his father did, and was active for many years as warden of the church.

Paul’s love of music and travel was shared these past sixteen years with his wife Marion Morrison. Paul and Marion could often be found enjoying live music – bluegrass was a favourite – in a Charlottetown pub or, even better, playing guitar with their cherished friends in the Spudrunners RV Club. Paul noted with pride Marion’s skill at driving their big RV. Marion’s four children – Amy (Mike) Stretch, MaryEllen (Justin) Hughes, Veronica (Corey) Christian, and Mike (Christine) Basha – and eight grandchildren were a source of joy and laughter for Paul at the frequent family gatherings Marion organized.

As always, Paul worried about his cars, even in his last weeks in hospital. He asked Marion to make sure the car was in the garage, out of the sun. The morning after Marion moved the car into the garage, Paul died peacefully in his sleep.

The family would like to extend sincere thanks and gratitude for the care and attention given to Paul by Dr. Keith Baglole and his staff, Julie and Marilyn; the home care and support team; the respite care workers; and the staff in Unit 3 of the Queen Elizabeth Hospital. In keeping with Paul’s wishes, there will be no funeral service. Private family interment at a later date.

Donations in Paul’s name can be made to a charity of your choice or sent directly to the St. James Anglican Church Cemetery fund:
St. James Cemetery
c/o Kim Dennis
160 Green Park Rd.
Tyne Valley, PE C0B 2C0