Paul Boughton Badger, beloved husband, brother, father and grandfather, passed away peacefully at his home on April 13, 2021, in the same room where he was born 87 years before. He was surrounded by his wife, children and grandchildren. A life-long resident of Norwood and the patriarch of a large and loving family, he is survived by his devoted wife of 32 years, Diane Badger, his children, Paul Badger and his wife Joan of North Attleboro, MA; John Badger and his wife Maria of Norwood, MA; Erika Hession and her husband Tommy of Needham, MA; and Greg Zaff and his wife Sonja of Cambridge, MA. He is also survived by his sisters Leslie Cardoni and Faith Garvin, as well as over 32 nieces and nephews and their children. He was predeceased by his siblings, Knight, Priscilla, Jenny, Shirley, Charlie, and Allen. He will be greatly missed by his grandchildren, Paul Badger, Stephanie Badger, Jerome Jackson, Cameron Badger, Zachary Badger, Jake Hession, Griffen Hession, and Kristina Zaff.
Paul was born in Norwood, MA on March 13, 1934, to Knight Abbott and Flora Boughton Badger, and he graduated from Norwood High School in 1951. Paul grew up milking cows, shoveling stalls and bailing hay on his family’s farm - Gay Farm Dairy and Orchards. After high school, he enlisted in the Air Force where he was stationed in Laredo, Texas as an airplane mechanic. After the service, he started his own construction company, P.B. Badger General Contracting, a business he ran for over 25 years. He also owned a tractor dealership and real estate leasing company and was proudly relied upon to plow the driveways of many grateful Norwood and Westwood residents, culminating with a renowned, non-stop two week stint on the back of his Allis Chalmers Tractor in the Blizzard of ‘78.
Paul’s heart always sang in the Green Mountains of Vermont. Few Massachusetts residents have ever put more miles on their vehicles driving north on Route 89. Thirty years ago, he and Diane began construction on a summer home on a hilltop in Barre, VT, doing the majority of the work themselves. Everywhere Paul went, he looked for ways to contribute and touch lives. In Barre, he served on the Zoning Board of Appeals and the Board of Civil Authority and volunteered his services as an elections official and Justice of the Peace. With little fanfare, in his characteristically quiet and dedicated way, Paul spent more than two decades associated with the Barre Evangelical Free Church. Paul’s involvement in Vermont led to many lifelong friendships.
Paul spent quality time in the sky as a flight instructor and regular at Wiggins Airways in Norwood. He spread his wings there and shared the lessons he learned in the cockpit with his nephew, Rob Nolfi, who, today, is a distinguished career-long pilot at Delta Airlines. Love of flying aside, Paul’s happiest days were on the ground with family. His Clapboardtree Street home was always open for business, no appointments necessary. 36 Clapboardtree was a multi-functional place - a destination at various times of the year for Lobster Bakes, Tennis Tournaments (Paul built a court in his backyard), weddings, Sunday breakfasts, sledding outings in the winter, mini-bike and go kart gatherings in spring, summer and fall. So many people just seemed to end up there, feeling welcome and loved.
Paul will be remembered by so many whose lives he touched, most especially by his grandchildren who will hold their beloved Papa always in their hearts.
Relatives and friends are invited to attend visiting hours at Gillooly Funeral Home, 126 Walpole St on Friday, April 16th from 4-8pm. A celebration of Paul’s life will take place at the Trinity Community Church, Norwood, MA, on Saturday, April 17th at 10:00 am. Due to current restrictions, attendance will be limited.
Donations may be made in Paul's memory to the Old Colony Hospice at: https://www.oldcolonyhospice.org/donation-overview
DONATIONS
SHARE OBITUARY
v.1.11.0