John Paul Michaud, 77, of Waterville, Maine, passed away peacefully and comfortably at MaineGeneral Medical Center in Augusta, Maine, on October 16, 2026.

John was born on October 19, 1948, to Joseph and Florence Michaud. While he spent brief periods living in Boston, Massachusetts, and Cleveland, Ohio, he spent the majority of his childhood and teenage years in Waterville. He graduated from Waterville High School in 1966 before attending the University of Maine in Orono, where he graduated in 1969. Upon graduating, John followed his father, Joseph, into the medical field and attended medical school in Guadalajara, Mexico. John traveled throughout North America practicing medicine in Mexico, Texas, Maine, and Regina, Saskatchewan, Canada, where he met his wife, Ruth. They were married in 1976 in Mississauga, Ontario, Canada. In 1979, they moved to Toledo, Ohio, where John practiced in the surgery department at Riverside Hospital. The couple started their family in 1982 with the birth of their son, Andy, and welcomed their daughters, Meagan and Laurel, in 1984 and 1986.

John was an avid, lifelong fan of the Cleveland Browns, an affliction he passed on to his son. While living in Cleveland, he attended every game he could with his father, and later, while living in Toledo, he would take his son to games. John also enjoyed photography and would frequently take long drives around Central Maine, stopping to photograph the scenery whenever something caught his eye. He was a fan of many types of music but particularly enjoyed classical music, attending numerous symphonies and concerts in Portland and at the University of Maine in Orono. Later in life, he enjoyed traveling and took a six-week train trip across the United States, an adventure from which he always happily and proudly shared stories and experiences with family and friends.

John was a devoted, proud, and loving father, uncle, and grandfather. He was immensely proud that his children and two nephews became the third generation of his family to attend and graduate from the University of Maine. He thoroughly enjoyed spending time with his family, whether taking his children to ball games, spending 10-hour days with them at Cedar Point, or simply going out for lunch or dinner. He was a generous, warm-hearted, and genuinely kind person. He will be deeply missed and fondly and lovingly remembered by all those whose lives he touched, particularly his family.

John is survived by his wife, Ruth Michaud; his son, John Paul "Andy" Michaud; his daughters, Meagan Michaud and Laurel Lane; his son-in-law, Gordon Lane; his grandchildren, Lorelei and Killian; and his nieces and nephews. He was predeceased by his father, Joseph Michaud; his mother, Florence Michaud; his sister, Mary Ellen Jenney; and his close, lifelong friend, Howard "Skip" McCracken.

In accordance with his wishes, there will be a small, private graveside service for immediate family.