NORTH ANDOVER, MA - Paul Harding Hollenbeck, 91, of North Andover, formerly of Andover, died on February 11, 2025, surrounded by his loving family, following a brief and sudden illness. Paul remained active and engaged to the end.
Born on June 12, 1933 in Camden, NJ to Alexander Doty Hollenbeck and Maria Harding Hollenbeck, Paul grew up in Pennsylvania, New York and Connecticut. Following in the footsteps of his father and late brother Frank Hollenbeck, he attended Dartmouth College where he earned a B.A. in History in 1955. After graduation, he served in the Army during peacetime and was stationed in Germany. He met his beloved wife Cynthia in New York City while he was living on the Upper East Side and she on the Lower West Side. They were married in 1963.
He went on to build a successful career as a marketing executive in the then-nascent plastics industry, developing considerable expertise in plastic film for the grocery industry (he was happy to share the ins and outs of meat tray construction, but only if pressed!). However, it was his friendliness, decency, generosity and deep connections to family and friends that truly defined him.
Standing 6'5" and known affectionately by some as "Tall Paul," he had played basketball in high school, as well as in the Army, and remained physically active throughout his life. Just days prior to his death, Paul was shoveling snow and visiting his beloved YMCA, his home away from home where he had found so many friends. Prior to setting out to the Y daily, he would declare, "I'm off to 'punish' the weights!" and then strike a Muscle Beach pose with a smile. His love of games, characteristic self-deprecating humor, and friendly camaraderie were present during chats with neighbors, golf matches, and play with children and grandchildren. A voracious reader of history, Paul was a familiar face at both Memorial Hall Library in Andover and Stevens Memorial Library in North Andover. In conversation, he might once in a while interject a historical story for context.
He is survived by his beloved wife of 62 years, Cynthia Hollenbeck; his sister, Maria T. Hollenbeck; his children Claire Hollenbeck (Jackie Birnhak), Tom Hollenbeck (partner Suzanne Tsang)(former spouse, Mica Estrada), and Kate Hollenbeck (Paul Forrester); and his cherished grandchildren Elio Hollenbeck, Noah Hollenbeck, Andres Hollenbeck, Zoe Birnhak, William Forrester, and Miles Forrester, as well as nieces, nephews and cousins.
A celebration of Paul's life will be held at a later date. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Memorial Hall Library in Andover, Stevens Memorial Library in North Andover, or the Andover YMCA.
Those who knew Paul will remember his smile, warmth, wisdom, and the wit he brought to every conversation. His legacy lives on in the many lives he touched and the community who knew him.
Arrangements have been entrusted to the Burke-Magliozzi Funeral Home of Andover. For additional information, please visit, www.burkemagliozzi.com.