Leo “Paul” Muise Sr, age 93, of Melrose, Massachusetts, passed away peacefully on September 16, 2026 at his home surrounded by his loving family following a brief illness.

Paul was born October 21,1932 on Surette’s Island, Nova Scotia, to John William (Willie) and Mary Jane Muise. He immigrated to the Boston area under the sponsorship of his aunt and uncle in Malden in 1952. He met the love of his life, Jeanne, in 1953. They married in 1955, purchased a home on Swains Pond Ave in Melrose in 1963, and enjoyed a long life raising their beloved family. He had a comedic wit and his many stories, jokes, and riddles will be fondly remembered by all whom he met. He was an avid Red Sox fan, starting in the 1930’s by listening in to check the score on a transistor radio from Nova Scotia (when conditions allowed the radio signal to cross the Gulf of Maine), and made many trips to Fenway Park. He will be remembered for his amazing Rappie Pie, an Acadian/French meal, lovingly prepared in his special homemade pan.

Music runs deep in Paul’s family. His first and life-long love was playing country music and Acadian jigs and reels on guitar, mandolin, and fiddle, whether out professionally or at house parties with family and friends, be it English or French. His Boston based band, The Rythmaires, played many venues, weddings, and anniversaries in the greater Boston area over 30 years at approximately 3500 events. Paul’s military service was in the US Army in Virginia in the 1950’s assigned to the Quartermaster Corps, and he was proud of his experiences in Washington, D.C. at Arlington National Cemetery. While in the service with his army band, The Quartermaster Wranglers, he performed along with country legends Tom T. Hall and Jimmy Snyder. The Quartermaster Wranglers won the all-army music competition in 1957. For the past few years he has gotten together on Sunday afternoons with friends and his brother, Gordon, to play and sing. In 2008 Paul and his son, Steven, released an album, Across the Bay of Fundy.

Paul was highly respected as a metal spinner and machinist, working with high-end contractors (General Electric, Sikorsky) and became invaluable at Bomco (and previously at NE Metal Spinning) until he retired. His favorite employer was Teiner Engineering, where he built parts for jet engines, and he told many stories of his adventures at work in Malden and in Gloucester.

Paul was a loving husband of 61 years to his late wife Jeanne (Melanson) Muise, and loving father of 6 to the late Mary Muise, Leo P. Muise, Jr. and wife Jannalee of Stratham, NH, James Muise and wife Linda of Melrose, the late Teresa Noone and John Noone, Lauretta Sherman and husband Warren of Boxford and Steven Muise and wife Debby of Farmington, ME. Cherished grandchildren are the late Christopher Muise, Katie Harkness and husband James, Rebecca Muise and partner Cody Martin, James Muise and partner Kaila Stack, Daniel Sherman, Jordan Noone and wife Ashley, Holly Sherman, and Neil Sherman. Beloved great-grandchildren are Harper Muise and Ellie and Leo Harkness. Paul is survived by his brother Gordon Muise and wife Esther, as well as many nieces, nephews, and their children. He was predeceased by his siblings Mary-Martha Surette, Eloi, Jessie Charron, Lauretta Lynch, Veronique Moulaison, Hazel Bourque and Lester.

Paul was grateful for all the loving care from family, Tufts hospice nurse Katie and Home Instead care givers Haidy, Tenzin and Ralphie.

Visiting hours will be held at the Gately Funeral Home 79 W. Foster St., Melrose on Monday, September 21 from 4-7:30 PM, to conclude with a service at 7:30pm. Relatives and friends are all respectfully invited to attend. Internment will be private. 

In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made to the renowned schooner Adventure in Gloucester, on which Paul’s father fished in the 30’s and 40’s.