Paul Almeida.

LANCASTER - Paul J. Almeida, 82, passed away peacefully in his residence on Tuesday, Aug. 23, after a lengthy illness.

He is preceded in death by his wife of 40 years, Gloria (Linton) Almeida and their daughter, Paula Curren.

Mr. Almeida is survived by his beloved wife of 20 years, Cheryl (Hunt) Almeida; a son, Lorne Almeida and his fiancee, Elizabeth Wood, of Sterling; a daughter, Wanda Cantrell of Nashua, N.H.; a sister, Doris Gionet of Florida; seven grandchildren, Debra Murdoch, Dawna Stubbert, Eric Almeida, Sarah Carlson, Lauren Griff, Donald and Michael Cantrell; and five great-grandchildren. He leaves his wife's children, David Beckwith Jr. of Orange and Deborah Mullen of Maine; their children, Elizabeth Quirion, Jonethen Mullen and Brianna Beckwith; his son-in-law, Robert Curren of Florida; brother-in-law, Robert Richardson of Alabama; several nieces, nephews and many dear friends, especially the Turini family and patrons of Lou's Diner.

Mr. Almeida was born in Tewksbury and raised by his late foster parents Patrick and Alice Moynihan. He grew up in Marlboro and later attended the former Worcester Boys Trade School, where he studied to become an auto mechanic. He began his life long career as an auto mechanic...