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Joseph Farnand Paquette, Jr (“Hoppy” “Pop Pop”), 89, of Gladwyne, PA died peacefully on August 21, 2024 at his home at Waverly Heights. He was the devoted husband of Ellin Louise Brush Paquette for 54 years, before she passed away in 2013. Mr. Paquette was born in Norwood. MA in 1934 to Joseph F & Marie (Dornig) Paquette. He graduated from Walpole High School, Walpole, MA and then went to Yale University on a full academic scholarship, graduating in 1956 with a Bachelor’s Degree in Civil Engineering. He later completed courses in finance, accounting, and economics at Temple University’s Evening Graduate School. Immediately after graduating from Yale, Mr. Paquette was hired by the Philadelphia Electric Company (PECO) as a Junior Engineer. He was appointed Manager of its Financial Division in 1969, Controller in 1971, Manager of Finance & Accounting in 1972, and Vice President of Finance & Accounting in 1978. In 1986 Mr. Paquette left PECO to become Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer of consumers Power Company, Jackson, MI. In 1987 he was elected President of CMS Energy Corporation and President & Chief Operating Officer of its principal subsidiary, Consumers Power Company. Mr. Paquette rejoined PECO Energy in March 1988 as President and Chief Operating Officer, and in April 1988 was elected Chairman and Chief Executive Officer. His financial skill and foresight was instrumental in guiding the company through very difficult years of restructuring and cost cutting. It was during this time that he earned the nickname “Joe Paycut”. He initiated company wide pay cuts, starting with his own salary. His hard decisions led the company through turbulent years of deregulation in the energy industry, building the foundations of new leadership that led to the current success of PECO (Excelon) He retired in 1997 as Chairman of the Board of PECO Energy Company. As much as he loved his career, that was far overshadowed by his devotion to family. He kept a long standing promise to Ellin that he would retire early enough to fully enjoy life and spend time with children and grandchildren. Joe and Ellin spent many years traveling the world, including taking each of their eight grandchildren on individual special trips. They had vacation homes in Avalon, NJ and Vero Beach, FL where many wonderful memories were made. His children and grandchildren adored him as much as he loved them. He had a special relationship with each and every one of them. Joe was heartbroken when he lost Ellin in 2013. They were married in 1958 and raised three children in Abington, PA. He found strength and healing by doubling down on love and devotion to family, experiencing the joy of a growing family and a fourth generation of babies. He was thrilled to experience weddings over the ensuing years and was the proud great-grandfather of ten. He continued to live life to the fullest. He enjoyed tennis in his younger years, and transitioned to golf after retirement. One of his passions of life was any competitive card game. He learned Cribbage in college and continued playing until recently, helping to establish a Cribbage group at Waverly. He became a very good Bridge player late in life, and never turned down a game of Hearts, Gin Rummy, or Poker. He spent the Winter season in Vero Beach, FL until a few years ago, and his beloved home in Avalon, NJ, “Sand Spur” is now owned by his daughter Alex and her husband Paul. Joe was an exceptional husband, father, grandfather, and great-grandfather. He was a devoted friend and mentor to so many, and will be greatly missed. His friends who sadly passed before him are too numerous to count. Mr. Paquette was a former member of the Philadelphia Country Club , Huntingdon Valley Country Club, Merion Cricket Club, the Union League, and the Moorings in Vero Beach, FL. He was a lifelong Catholic, attending St John Vianney parish for many years. He was a past Chairman of the Greater Philadelphia Chamber of Commerce, and former director of the Greater Philadelphia Urban Affairs Coalition, Greater Philadelphia First, the Pennsylvania Chamber of Business and Industry, the Center City District, the American Red Cross- Southeastern Pennsylvania Chapter, and the United Way of Southeastern Pennsylvania. Mr. Paquette is a former Chairman of the Edison Electric Institute (EEI), and former Board member of the Institute of Nuclear Power Operations (INPO). He was a former member of the Board of Directors of AAA Mid-Atlantic Inc, the Mid Atlantic Insurance Company, Mercy Health System, Drexel University, First Pennsylvania Bank, First Pennsylvania Corporation, Meridian Bancorp Inc, Abington Memorial Hospital, and the Associated Gas & Electric Services (AEGIS) Mr. Paquette is survived by his son Christopher H. Paquette of Abington, Pa, his daughters Mary Alexandra (Paul) Anastasio of Camp Hill, Pa and Ellin Paquette (F. Christian) Haab of Gladwyne, Pa. He was the beloved grandfather of Joseph (Christie), Nicholas (Janine) and Peter (Meghan) Anastasio; Lauren (Michael) Hickman, Christopher Jr (Jessica). and William (Melissa) Paquette, and Lara (Herman) and Eric Haab. Proud great-grandfather of Addison, Taylor, Lucas, Jacob, Reese, Colin, Josie, Ellin, Charlotte, and Evelyn. He is the son of the late Mr. and Mrs. Joseph F Paquette, of Walpole, MA. He was predeceased by his brother Edward F Paquette; surviving also are loving sisters-in-law Peggy (Richard) Webster of Vero Beach, FL., Catherine (Michael) Pagel of Coeur D’Alene, ID, Barbara(Michael) McLaughlin of Sellersville, PA. , Arlene Paquette of Boston, MA, and ten nieces and nephews. Martha Moore of Vero Beach, Fl was a devoted friend, travel companion and bridge partner. The family especially wishes to thank the devoted and loving caregivers and staff of Waverly Heights. He was never alone in his final years, and they grieve along with us. A visitation will be held on Thursday August 29th from 9am to 10:45 am at St John Vianney Church, 350 Conshohocken State Rd, Gladwyne, PA, 19035, followed by a Funeral Mass at 11am. Joe lived a life rich in generosity and giving. His philanthropy was a quiet and unheralded part of his life. He instructed his grandchildren to donate to charities instead of giving him gifts. In lieu of flowers, the family has requested that donations be made in his honor to Waverly Heights Foundation, “Employees Appreciation Fund” 1400 Waverly Road, Gladwyne, PA 19035

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Joseph Farnand Paquette Jr

August 24, 1934 - August 21, 2024