He was born in Medford Massachusetts on March 16, 1928, to the late James and Ann Dunbar. He met his wife Jacqueline (Jackie) Clark Dunbar in New York and they were married on November 20, 1954, in New York City, NY. They purchased their first home in River Edge, NJ where they began to raise their family. They were married for 47 years upon Jackie’s death in September 2000.
Paul served in the United States Navy on the USS Hank DD 702 Destroyer in the Atlantic during the Korean War. After leaving the Navy, Paul attended and graduated from Boston College in 1951 with a Bachelor of Arts Degree. He had a passion for and excelled in music including playing a variety of brass instruments in the BC Band; and, singing for the BC Choir and Chorale. Paul was also proud to have played the baritone euphonium for Arthur Fiedler and the Boston Pops Orchestra. He was known as “Dixie Dunbar”, the author of the column “Tower to Town” which was published in the BC newspaper. After college, he attended Columbia University Graduate School of Business in 1955 and 1956.
The majority of Paul’s career was spent working for Monsanto in the International Plastics Division with moves to Toronto and Montreal, Canada; and, St. Louis, Missouri. While at Monsanto he conducted business in 33 countries. He was most gratified with the life-long business friends he developed from traveling throughout Western and Eastern Europe, as well as North, Central, and South America. His last assignment brought his family to Atlanta, GA in 1978 where he retired from Monsanto after 40 years.
Paul was a singer by avocation (basso profundo) and sang in many choirs during his travels and in the Traditional Choir at Holy Spirit Catholic Church. A devoted Catholic and member of his church, he served as a Section Representative of the Archdiocese of Atlanta in the Equestrian Order of the Holy Sepulchre Jerusalem. He attained the rank of Knight Commander with Star. He enjoyed hosting and spending time with the clergy and his many friends at Holy Spirit.
Golf was his passion throughout his life, winning club championships, attaining a hole-in-one and cherishing friends at his beloved Atlanta Country Club. Additionally, he was a multi-time winner of the Super Senior Championship. Paul became very involved in the Atlanta Classic Foundation and the Bell-South Golf Classic including his favorite role as an announcer and starter for the Atlanta PGA golf tournament for many years. Many of the players would remark that they loved to hear their name announced by Paul’s booming bass voice. His voice was his calling card and he always led many gatherings in song and cheer.
Paul is survived by his sister, Denyse (Dinny) Maddaleni of Cape Elizabeth, ME; son Mathew Dunbar of Eagan, MN; son Mark (Tanya) Dunbar of Dallas, TX; daughter Michelle (Mark) Young of Groton Long Point, CT; five grandchildren, and, four great-grandchildren. He is preceded in death by his parents James and Ann, wife Jacqueline (Jackie), sisters Collette Dunbar and Joan Murphy, great granddaughter Grace Dunbar, and daughter-in-law Christine (Jacobson) Dunbar.
A Funeral Mass will be held at Holy Spirit Catholic Church on Northside Drive on Monday, October 18 at 11 am. The Visitation will be held at the same location from 10 am-11 am. where his family will be present to welcome loved ones. Burial will be at Arlington Memorial Park immediately following the Funeral Mass.
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