WORCESTER___ Paul P. Snow, 95, a World War II veteran, passed away peacefully on Tuesday, December 22, 2020 in his home surrounded by his family. He was predeceased by his wife of 70 years, Mildred T. (Roy) Snow in 2016.
He leaves his three sons, Randolph “Randy” P. Snow and his wife Paula of Dudley, Gary P. Snow and his wife Diane of Worcester and Paul P. Snow, Jr of Worcester; a sister, Bernice E. Mayo and her husband Edward of Auburn; six grandchildren, Kimberly, Christopher, Matthew, Nicole, Daniel and Stephanie; four great-grandchildren, Mackenzie, Madison, Arianna, and Ava; several nephews and nieces. He was predeceased by his brother Warren B. Snow and his two sisters, Beverly Packard and Elizabeth Bernier. Mr. Snow was born in Worcester, a son of the late George N. and Cecile (Morin) Snow. He was the Supervising Inspector of Standards for the Massachusetts Office of Consumer Affairs and retired in 1992. Previously he was the Deputy Inspector, Weights & Measures for the City of Worcester. Before then, he was a meat manager for A&P Markets.
On Feb. 24, 1943, the day before his 18th birthday, and prior to his high school graduation, Paul enlisted in the U. S. Navy to serve in World War II. Besides the World War II Victory Medal, he received the American Theatre Medal, Asiatic-Pacific Theatre Medal with two Silver Stars, the Philippine Liberation Medal with two Bronze Stars. He spent almost 3 years in the Pacific with the USS Monterey gunnery division and met a young Officer named Lt. Gerald R. Ford, later the 38th President of the United States. He was injured during the great typhoon of December 1944 where 3 destroyers were hit and 800 were lost. In March of 2019, after nearly 75 years, he received his high school diploma from St. John’s High School. The ceremony was featured in the Worcester Telegram & Gazette.
Paul was a member of the New England Weights and Measures Association, Massachusetts Weights and Measures Association, The National Institute for Systems Testing, American Legion Post 88, The National World War II Museum in New Orleans, and the Greendale Retired Men’s Club. He was a former scout master, an avid golfer and enjoyed crossword puzzles and playing cards and his harmonica.
The family would like to thank Alex Zequeira, headmaster of St. John’s High School in Shrewsbury and Congressman James McGovern’s office especially Holly Hodgkins for making their dad so happy and proud; and to Robert and James Generelli, for a friendship that never ended; and a special thank you to Rita.
Due to the pandemic, funeral services and burial with Military Honors in Worcester County Memorial Park in Paxton, will be private. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to Veteran’s Inc, 69 Grove St, Worcester, MA 01605. DIRSA – MORIN FUNERAL HOME, 298 Grafton Street, is assisting the family with funeral arrangements.
Below are the links to the Worcester Telegram & Gazette newspaper articles featuring Mr. Snow:
https://www.telegram.com/news/20190321/94-year-old-worcester-veteran-paul-snow-finally-gets-high-school-diploma
https://www.telegram.com/news/20190407/those-who-served-worcesters-paul-snow-recalls-day-sea-was-enemy