ALTAMONT — Paul F. Forand, an educator at heart, taught in Guilderland schools for more than three decades and enjoyed outdoor adventures with children and grandchildren.

He died peacefully at St. Peter’s Hospital in Albany on Thursday, Dec. 26, 2024. He was 85.

Born in Shoreham, Vermont and raised in Vergennes, Vermont and Boonville, New York, he was the son of the late Adrien and Florence Forand, and the loving husband of 61 years to his wife, Linda. He was a father of four and a grandfather of six. His siblings — Adrien Jr., Barbara, and Suzanne — died before him.

A graduate of the Boonville public schools, he earned a bachelor of science degree from the State University of New York College at Oswego, and a master’s degree at the University at Albany. He served in the military, then went on to teach fourth and fifth grades in Guilderland public schools from 1965 until his retirement in 1999, primarily at Altamont Elementary School and Farnsworth Middle School.

He was a longtime member of the Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks 2480 and American Legion Post 977 in Altamont.

“An educator at heart,” his family wrote in a tribute, “Paul shaped countless young minds over his 34 years as a teacher, both in the classroom and in organizing numerous extracurricular activities for students, from ‘Teach-outs’ at Camp Lovejoy early in his career to overseeing his school’s Ski Club, Shakespeare Club, and more. He was well loved by his students and their families.

“During the summer, he owned and managed the Penguin Ice Cream Stand with his wife, Linda, for many years. In his retirement years, he and Linda split their time between homes in Schroon Lake, Altamont, and Venice, Florida in the winter.

“His love of the outdoors extended most of all to his kids and grandkids, taking them snowmobiling with their cousins in Boonville and at their Uncle Bruce’s hunting camp; deep sea fishing off Montauk; swimming at the beaches at Hither Hills; camping on Lake George and Thompsons Lake; and boating with the grandkids as they went fishing, swimming, and tubing at Schroon Lake.

“He enjoyed learning new skills such as studying small-engine repair and taking on any project he could find that included building or fixing things. His biggest project was teaching himself construction and building design, which he applied by building (with extensive involvement by Linda and his kids) a family vacation home on Schroon Lake, which saw many, many joyful family gatherings over the years.”

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In addition to his wife, Linda, he is survived by his children, Steven, James, Douglas (Elizabeth Barrett), and Elizabeth (Kyle Madden); his beloved grandchildren, Emily, Connor, Jonathan, Lauren, Reece, and Caroline; and numerous nieces and nephews.

Relatives and friends may call at the Fredendall Funeral Home at 199 Main Street in Altamont on Thursday, Jan. 2, from 4 to 6 p.m., with funeral services held at St. Lucy’s/St. Bernadette’s Catholic Church at 109 Grand Street in Altamont on Jan. 3 at 11 a.m., with a brief reception afterwards at the parish center.

Memorial contributions may be made to St. Jude’s Children’s Hospital at https://www.stjude.org/.