Paul W. Phelps, 81

FRANKLIN — Longtime Laconia resident Paul W. Phelps, 81, died on Aug. 11, 2026, at Peabody Place with his loving wife by his side.

Paul was born Nov. 17, 1944, in Rutland, Vermont, the son of the late Earle W. and Doris E. (Greenan) Phelps. At the age of 4, Paul and his family moved to Laconia, where his family opened a furniture store, Tower Wayside Furniture, later known as Harris Family Furniture.

Paul was a 1962 graduate of Laconia High School where he was a member of the track and football teams, and was the recipient of the Gaston Jordan Football Award. It was on the gridiron where he first obtained the nickname “Big Daddy.”

In 1966, Paul graduated from Plymouth State College with a bachelor of science degree in education and later received his master’s degree in educational administration.

After graduating from PSC, Paul was employed by the Laconia School District, retiring in 2002. Teaching ninth grade social studies, Paul enjoyed sharing his love for anthropology and archaeology with his students. He also served as department head of the history department and junior class advisor. Paul would briefly serve as the assistant principal at Memorial Middle School before returning to the classroom at Laconia High School.

A passionate sports fan, Paul mentored hundreds of Sachems through his role as their track, weightlifting and football coach. Paul loved all his students and athletes and always enjoyed meeting them and their parents around town and being greeted with, “Hi, Coach.”

Even in retirement, Paul pursued his passion for football and family as he served as a volunteer defensive line coach at St. Lawrence University with his son Chris.

An active member of the community, Paul was the summer program director for Laconia Parks and Recreation, vice president of the Laconia Chapter of the American Red Cross, a board member for both the Lou Athanas Youth Basketball League and Laconia Pop Warner Football, LHS basketball radio broadcaster with WEMJ, vice president and board member of the Laconia Community Center, and a member of the Laconia Lodge of Elks #876. Paul was selected to the Outstanding Men in America list, was a recipient of the Jaycees Outstanding Teacher Award, the recipient of the New Hampshire Assistant Coach of the Year Award and is an inductee into the Laconia High School Athletic Hall of Fame.

As a man of faith, Paul was an active member at St. Andre Bessette Parish — Sacred Heart Church, where he served as a long-time lecturer and religious education teacher.

Paul is survived by his wife of 60 years, Mary Lou (Akerman) Phelps; daughter Paula Phelps-Fernandez and her husband Manuel of Laconia; son Christopher and his wife Kimberly of Salisbury, Connecticut; grandchildren Daniel Fernandez, Triana Perez, Bailey (Phelps) Campbell and Ryan Phelps; four great-grandchildren; sisters-in-law Gail Laker-Phelps and Alice Phelps; brother-in-law Russell Beane; and several nieces and nephews.

Along with his parents, he is predeceased by his brothers Richard Phelps and Michael Phelps; sister Joanne Borda and her husband James; his in-laws Lawrence and Margaret Akerman; and sister-in-law Carol Ann (Akerman) Beane.

Calling hours will be held from 4 to 7 p.m. on Tuesday, Aug. 18, in the Carriage House at the Wilkinson-Beane-Simoneau-Paquette Funeral Home, 164 Pleasant St., Laconia.

A Mass of Christian burial will be celebrated at 10 a.m. on Wednesday, Aug. 19, at the St. Andre Bessette Parish — Sacred Heart Church, 291 Union Ave., Laconia. Burial will follow in the family lot in Sacred Heart Cemetery, Garfield Street, Laconia.

Wilkinson-Beane-Simoneau-Paquette Funeral Home and Cremation Services/603Cremations.com, 164 Pleasant St., Laconia, is assisting the family with arrangements. For more information and to view an online memorial, visit wilkinsonbeane.com.