Paul S. Chase, 80, of Whitman, passed away peacefully on the morning of June 1st at South Shore Hospital after a brief hospitalization.
Paul was born on June 24, 1937 in Quincy, to parents Kenneth and Jean (Benoit) Chase, four years after his older brother and lifelong best friend Pete. Paul grew up in the care of this tight-knit family, which later added younger brother, Dave, in Abington, where he graduated from Abington High School.
As a teenager, Paul met and fell in love with Barbara Waterhouse of Gloucester… the start of a love story that lasted more than sixty years. After their wedding in 1957, Paul and Barb purchased a home on Plymouth Street in Abington, where they raised their own loving family of three daughters, Susan, Cynthia, and Brenda, followed by husbands, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren.
Barb and Paul enjoyed a lifetime of love and adventure, exploring the world and visiting all fifty states, accompanied by close companions, including his brother Pete and his wife, Nancy, and many other family members.
Paul studied mechanical engineering at Wentworth Institute of Technology before embarking on a remarkable career in manufacturing. Paul started at Boston Gear in Quincy as a machine operator. He rose to a senior management position in manufacturing engineering, and he managed and designed facilities for Boston Gear in Quincy and North Carolina. Paul never forgot the importance of the hard work being done by dedicated employees on the floor. Later in his career, he took on a new professional challenge as Plant Manager for Ryan Iron Works in Raynham.
Community service was more than an ideal for Paul; it was a lifelong passion. Paul was an active member of John Cutler Masonic Lodge, and he served as District Deputy Grand Master in Southeastern Massachusetts and was a member of Scottish Rite. Earlier, Paul and Pete served together in the Massachusetts National Guard. Paul also served his hometown of Abington as Sewer Commissioner and member of the Finance Committee for many years and was instrumental in helping to expand services to residents throughout the town.
Paul Chase is predeceased by his parents and older brother, Peter. He is survived by his wife, Barbara, his brother, David (& Betsy) Chase, daughters Susan Chase of Whitman, Cynthia (& Harry) Channell of Whitman and Brenda (& Bill) McColgan of Peru, NY. He also leaves behind grandchildren Michael (& Kim), Stephanie (& Brian), Jeannie (& Jeremy), Matthew (& Christanie), Joshua (& Jamie), Monica, and Miranda, great grandchildren Lucas, Mikayla, Bryce, Beckett, and Ethan, and many cousins, nephews, nieces, and other close friends and family members.
Family and friendship were always Paul’s priority, and he provided a wonderful example of the importance of hard work, personal responsibility, generosity, and unconditional love and support that will endure through the many people he touched.
Visiting hours for Paul Chase will be held on Saturday, June 9th from 2pm to 5pm in the Blanchard Funeral Chapel, Plymouth St (Rte. 58 at the rotary circle) Whitman, and will include a brief Masonic memorial service at 4:30pm. Friends and family are also invited to share their memories and celebrate Paul’s life at a reception from 5pm to 8pm on Saturday the 9th at the Polish Club, 55 Wales Street in Abington.
Donations in lieu of flowers may be made to the Alzheimer’s Association of Massachusetts at alz.org.