Paul was born in Quebec City on June 16, 1936. He graduated in Business Administration from St. Thomas University in New Brunswick in 1956, putting himself through school by working summers with Maheu&Maheu from 1952 through 1956. He then started a biology program at Laval University and tagged fish in Parc des Laurentides during the summer of 1957. However, Paul would not complete his B.Sc. When failing health forced his father Horace-Azarie to give up his duties as general manager later in 1957, Paul stepped in to run the business. Paul studied accounting and financial math at night in 1961–62 while working in the daytime, but stopped attending night school after the birth of his second child in 1962.

Paul was president of Maheu&Maheu from 1965 through 1993 and director of special projects until 1998. With other leaders of the Canadian industry, he helped ensure that pest control companies had a strong voice in their relationships with government and suppliers. His public relations skills not only helped expand the company beyond the borders of Quebec, but also encouraged suppliers to register their products in Canada. He worked very closely with his uncle and godfather Oscar W. Maheu, who was president of Mysto until the mid-seventies.

Prior to the introduction of compulsory product registration, EPA-registered products were in common use in Canada. Crown Chemicals, Gold Crest Chemicals (Velsicol), McLaughlin Gormley King (MGK), Van Waters & Rogers, and JT Eaton were suppliers of Maheu&Maheu at this point. Later, Paul made the company the first Canadian distributor for Bell Laboratories, a position we still hold today. He and his brother André also worked closely with Air Guard Control Ltd. to pave the way for the Konk products that became very popular in the late 70s and early 80s.

Paul was president of the Canadian Pest Control Association from 1970 to 1972. In those days, the industry across Canada rallied behind a strong and well-attended federal association. Paul's leadership was instrumental in making the association and its annual conferences a great success. He organized the 1972 annual meeting in Quebec City at Le Château Frontenac. He repeated the exploit in 1989 when the provincial and national chapters teamed up for a major convention. This time around, André Maheu also contributed extensively to logistics and the organization of social events.

One of the few Bridge Life Masters in Quebec City, Paul was president of the Quebec Bridge League from 1958 to 1967. He was also an active member of the community. In 1973, he founded a figure skating club in Villeneuve for which he served as president from 1973 to 1975. This amazing golf lover was also generous with Club de golf du Lac St-Joseph, presiding over the club from 1976 to 1979 and holding numerous positions on the board of directors. His involvement gave his kids a chance to enjoy the game and left a legacy that will “follow through” across the generations.

Businessmen are often gamblers as they must take risks along the way. Along with Maheu&Maheu, Paul and some friends started a tennis and racquetball club on Quebec City’s south shore in 1979, but it was not a great success. He tried very hard to make the club work because he was a tenacious fighter and a born winner. But in the end, as he said, sometimes you win and sometimes you lose. You cannot be a master in every field. This was another life lesson for us.

Paul Maheu died on May 5, 2007, after quietly battling almost 2 years against late-diagnosed prostate cancer. Paul will be remembered for his generosity, enthusiasm and sense of humour.  He redefined the meaning of the words “catch the moment.” Everybody who had the chance to meet this great man will treasure lasting memories of the time they spent with him.

Michel Maheu, his proud son

August 16, 2007