Amazing athlete, prolific coach and adventurous boater
PORT ST. LUCIE, Florida — Edward Francis Paul, 96, of Port St. Lucie, Florida, and formerly of North Reading, Mass., passed away September 25, 2023 at his home in Port St. Lucie. He was the dedicated husband of the late Virginia (Boyle) Paul.
“Eddie” as he was known to many early in his life, was born on June 15, 1927 in Peabody to William and Mary (Conde) Paul. He grew up on Northend Street, graduating from Peabody High School in 1944 where he ran track and played hockey and baseball. He arranged music, played the piano and had a popular band with his late brother William Paul. He studied at Northeastern and enlisted in the Army during WWII and became a drill sergeant. After returning from the Army, he married Virginia Boyle, a union that would last for over six decades.
He joined the ADT alarm company where he worked for 48 years. He quickly became foreman of the Springfield office and was known for his drive to learn everything he could about the business. He instilled that ethic into everyone who worked for and with him, so much so that when Ed was promoted to the corporate office most of his team went on to become foremen of other cities around the Northeast. When ADT launched the first “central station” monitoring that allowed one location to monitor thousands of homes and businesses across a multi-state area, Ed was chosen to oversee the transition because of his legacy knowledge and his track record of learning about every new product from ADT.
Ed was a surprising athlete. In addition to his success in high school, he played semi-pro hockey into his 30s. After his playing days, he started a long era of coaching in North Reading. He helped start the first Pop Warner football program in addition to coaching Little League and Pony League baseball, and later assisted the high school football program. Later in life he and a good friend, the late Lou Datillo, coached a Men’s League softball team that included his three sons. The team won many tournaments, a state championship, played in national championships, and won the North Reading Softball League Championship 10 years in a row.
Ed loved to work. He was meticulous, could fix just about anything and was always available to help others with his skills. Every neighbor knew that if they had a problem they couldn’t figure out, they could look to Ed. For over 50 years he maintained a swimming pool, initially for his wife Virginia, who loved to swim, but then for his kids and the entire neighborhood and eventually for his granddaughters. Yet you almost never saw Ed in the pool.
He enjoyed boating and working on his boats. From his aluminum boat with its ancient Johnston outboard on Chebacco Lake in Essex in the 1950s and ’60s to his current 20-foot center console Sea Fox in Port St. Lucie, Florida, Ed enjoyed taking others on boating adventures. At 96 years old he could be seen cruising the local canals at 40 miles per hour with his somewhat concerned-looking daughter-in law, Melinda and two grandchildren, Erin and Eden, along for the ride.
Ed is survived by his son Bradford and wife Heather (Pimental) Paul of Prides Crossing; his son David and wife Melinda (Flanders) Paul of Jensen Beach, Florida; granddaughters Erin Paul and Eden Paul of Gloucester; his son Richard Paul of Ennis Montana; and granddaughter Mia. He was predeceased by his wife of 63 years Virginia (Boyle) Paul; his brother William Paul; and his granddaughter Brianna Paul.
A celebration of his life will be held at Kitty’s Restaurant in North Reading, 123 Main St., on Monday, October 16 at 4 p.m. All that knew Ed are welcome to come and honor him and bring your favorite Ed Paul stories.