Paul Anthony Linney

Paul was born on October 30, 1922, in South London and attended St. John’s Boys School where his grandfather was the headmaster. When he was 15, he worked as a mechanic and studied automotive engineering at night. This was the start of his lifelong love of automobiles and British MGs in particular.

In 1941 he joined the Royal Air Force to serve his country during World War II. Most of his service was in India running the motor pool for the 353 Squadron. He was responsible for keeping a variety of military vehicles running, including WWI-vintage trucks. Paul returned to England and was given an honorable discharge in 1946.

After the war, he worked as a service manager in a garage and studied engineering at the Croydon Polytechnic. He also bought his first MG and competed in time trials and road rallies. In 1948 he accepted a position with the Anglo-Iranian Oil Co. (now BP) to run the motor pool in Abadan, Iran. The position was terminated when Iran nationalized the oil industry. During a brief stint back in Britain before his next job, Paul bought a 1937 HRG and competed in cross-country rallies.

In 1952, Paul traveled to Jamaica to join Caterpillar as a dealership service manager. In 1957, he immigrated to the United States and worked for Athey Products Corp. as a sales/service field engineer in Europe and Africa. While in Chicago, he met and married Maxine, an artist.

In 1960 he was chosen to plan the relocation of Athey to a new manufacturing facility in Wake Forest, N.C. After he completed the corporate move, he accepted an offer from Aeroglide Corp. to establish a worldwide export market for the company’s products. He travelled to the Far East, South America, Canada and Europe and was involved in the design, sales and installation of grain dryers, packinghouse equipment and charcoal briquette makers.

Paul retired in 1986 and dove fulltime into his love of MG sports cars, buying and restoring numerous MGs. In 1988 he founded and was the first president of the North Carolina MG Car Club, which now has 140 members.

In 2010, his life story was published in a book entitled, “Making My Marque: The remarkable life of a straight-talking limey.” Paul was blessed with the many friendships he made through the North Carolina MG club. He continued as an active member until his death and was always ready to share his expertise on MGs and available to help with a restoration. His friends enjoyed his wit and wry humor. He was a great storyteller and always seemed to have a new story to recount from his rich and varied life. He will be greatly missed by all.

Paul is survived by his wife of 53 years, Maxine Linney of Raleigh; daughter Sarah Linney of Cocoa, Florida; and brother, Gordon Linney of Perth, Australia.

Paul’s family will receive friends for visitation from 2-3 p.m., Wednesday, February 29, at Brown-Wynne Funeral Home at 300 St. Mary’s St., Raleigh. The memorial service follows at 3-4 p.m. in the chapel.

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made in Paul’s honor to Hospice of Wake County, 250 Hospice Circle, Raleigh, NC 27607; or Wake County SPCA, 200 Petfinder Lane, Raleigh, NC 27603. Condolences may be sent to the family at www.brownwynne.com