Joseph “Mike” Paulson, of Clinton, and formerly of North Haven, passed away on Nov. 28. He was born on Aug. 30, 1943, in New Haven, the son of Joseph Martin Paulson and Mildred Hay Paulson.

Mike was a devoted husband to his wife, Cindy, and a loving father, grandfather, brother, and uncle to his family. He was a U.S. Navy veteran in the Vietnam War and a purple heart recipient. He was an honored officer in the Clinton Police Department and Clinton Fire Department, as well as a Fish and Game Warden, and Marine Captain for several years. He was a dedicated member of the First Church of Christ Congregational Church, as a Deacon, Sunday school teacher, a member of the Buildings and Grounds Committee, and provided security for the summer fairs. He enjoyed fishing, boating, visiting state and national parks, and playing with his grandchildren.

Mike is survived by his wife Cynthia; children, Kristen Zdrok and her husband Joseph of Rocky Hill, Stephen Paulson and his wife Jessica of Clinton, and Lindsey Ellis and her husband Wyatt of Austin, Texas; sisters, Barbara Liston of North Branford and Katherine Lawton of Ponte Verda, Florida; grandchildren: Alexander and Nathaniel Zdrok, Eva and Lucas Paulson, and Io and Isadora Ellis. He is predeceased by his brother Frederick Paulson.

A graveside service with military honors will be held at 11 a.m. on Saturday, March 11, 2023, at the Connecticut Veterans Cemetery, Bow Lane, Middletown. A memorial service will also be held at a later date that will be announced. In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to: Connecticut Department of Veteran Affairs https://portal.ct.gov/DVA/Donations/Veterans-Donation-Form or Clinton First Church of Christ https://www.firstchurchclinton.org/giving/online-giving.