Donald Joseph "Don" Paul

Donald Joseph "Don" Paul , 91: Born in Boston, MA on May 2, 1932 to Jesse Paul and Jeannette (d'Entremont) Taurisano, Don attended St. Francis Xavier Elementary School in Roslindale and graduated from Boston Technical High School in 1950. He enlisted in the United States Air Force in 1951 and sailed to Germany on the USS Butner shortly thereafter. Eventually he was deployed to Libya, where at Wheelus Air Base he was a member of the US Air Force Security Service, a secretive branch tasked with monitoring, collecting and interpreting military signals from countries of interest during the Cold War. 

After completing his tour of duty, Don returned home, living with his parents in Roslindale and enrolling in The School of Practical Art. While residing on the 2nd floor of 36 Tappan Street, his mother encouraged him to fraternize with the girls on the 3rd floor. A budding romance ensued and after a three-year courtship, Mary and Don were married in 1959. 

As a young father, Don worked by day and took classes at Northeastern University at night, earning degrees in Engineering. His studies continued at Babson College, falling two courses shy of an MBA, something he always regretted. From an early age, he instilled in his children the value of education. In 1972, Don began a 35-year career with Alden Products in Brockton and moved his family from the city to the suburbs, purchasing his first and only home in the tiny town of Hanson. He received a wheel barrow for his birthday that year and a lifelong love of gardening bloomed. A devout Roman Catholic, he was an active parishioner at Saint Joseph the Worker Church where he was a Confirmation CCD teacher and lector for many years. 

Don was a venerable pool shark as well as a talented artist, writer, storyteller, and handyman. He was a prankster, loved a good joke and was the life of many memorable parties. He enjoyed time spent by the sea, watching Monty Python, a good cigar, a bottle of Sam Adams, a taste of Grand Marnier, and all things Herman Melville. He had a zest for exploration and his travels took him to five of the seven continents. Above all, Don cherished his wife "Hoon", his children and his grandchildren. Though dementia robbed us of his memory later in life, the spirit of the man we loved was always there and he was a gentle soul until the end. He believed that you should “always look on the bright side of life”.  

Don was predeceased by his parents, his step-father Joseph Taurisano, and his sister Dorris (Paul) Hilberg. He is survived by his wife Mary (Twomey) Paul of Hanson and his five children, Janet Paul Marconi (David) of Plymouth, James Paul (Paolo Ascenzioni) of Jamaica Plain, Gary Paul of Whitman, Barbara Paul Madden (Walter) of Weymouth, and Stephanie Paul of Hanson. He was the beloved Grampy of Jordan Paul, Sydney Paul, Owen Paul, Noah Madden, Jacob Madden, Jorge Donald (JD) Alfaro, Isaac Paul Alfaro, and Maire Alfaro, and big brother to Lawrence Paul (Linda) of Amesbury, Leo Paul (Lisa) of Hingham and Myrtle Beach, Janice (Taurisano) Burnett (Philip) of Millis, and Robert Taurisano (Linda) of Burton OH. He is also survived by many nieces and nephews. We are comforted that he has been reunited in heaven with his treasured friends Johnny Griffin, Billy Keiran, Frank Adams, Arthur "Gizzy" Gillis, Jerry Keating, and Ray O'Keefe. 

The family would like to thank Norwell VNA and Hospice, Old Colony Elder Services, and the Veterans  Administration. We are particularly grateful to his compassionate caregivers: Jacqui Babcock, Jessica Judge, Marek Typtynski, Sarah Whittemore Deana Procopio, Aisha Lopes, Mady Monteiro, Daphney Simon-Pascal, Magalie Pierre Louis Isaac, Kester Pascal, Kristen Anderson, Clare Freeman, and Carmel O’Flaherty. To our BFF’s and family members that visited, dropped off "essentials", provided laughter, told stories, and simply listened - you are our rocks. It takes a village and we cannot thank you enough. 

In lieu of flowers, please consider memorial donations to the Longitudinal Early Onset Alzheimer’s  Disease study (https://leads-study.medicine.iu.edu/) or the St. Vincent de Paul Society by making checks payable to “St. Mary’s St. Vincent de Paul” and sent to the church at the address below. 

Visiting hours in the Sullivan Funeral Home, 2 Maquan St, at the corner of Rte 14 & 58 in Hanson on Tuesday, August 22 from 4:00 to 7:00 P.M. Funeral Wednesday, August 23 at 9:00  A.M. at Our Lady of the Angels Parish- St. Mary’s, 392 Hanover St, Hanover. Burial will take place in the Massachusetts National Cemetery in Bourne.