Edward Paul, 94 of Canton, formerly of Needham, passed away peacefully at home on March 18, 2025. Ed was the beloved husband of Marlene, who predeceased him in September 2024. Ed and Marlene shared 68 years of marriage and were the devoted parents of Sharon McDonnell and husband Frank, Deborah Paul and husband Thomas Meyers, and Cheryl Farhat and husband Khalil.
Ed is survived by his loving grandchildren: Frank McDonnell, Ryan McDonnell, Kristin McDonnell, Alex McDonnell, Sydney Meyers, Abby Meyers, Lucas Farhat and Audrey Farhat. He was also blessed with many great grandchildren: Frankie, Penelope, Henry, Dorothea, and James. Papa, as he was affectionately called, loved to play games with his grandchildren and take them on neighborhood walks. One cherished memory in particular, is a house with a stone wall he nicknamed the “Great wall of China” that the children loved to climb and walk along.
Ed’s warm, gentle smile could light up any room, bringing joy to those around him. He was known for his kindness, generosity, intellectual curiosity and stubbornness at times. Ed was deeply loved by his family as well as countless friends and acquaintances.
Ed earned a degree in physics from MIT. He enrolled in the ROTC program and served his country as an officer in the Air Force. In that role, he was assigned to the Directorate of Intelligence at the Pentagon where he earned a commendation for outstanding work on sensitive intelligence matters. In the 1950s, Ed became a pioneer in the emerging field of infrared technology, dedicating over 40 years to developing infrared programs for ground, air, and satellite platforms. Ed managed the Sidewinder Missile program at Raytheon Corporation and was involved in many of the refinements to the system’s guidance technology.
Upon his retirement, the Naval Weapons Center (NWC) Technical Director said “Ed Paul’s retirement from Raytheon is of great professional and personal concern to many NWC people at all levels. For years, NWC have regarded Ed as a source of the most lucid and penetrating advice. He is a man of total integrity and he represents the best of Raytheon. To say he will be missed is a gross understatement.”
Above all else, Ed was a devoted family man who found immense pride in his children and grandchildren. He leaves behind a remarkable legacy and will be deeply missed by his family, friends and the countless people who knew him.
Visiting hours will be held on Friday, March 28th from 10:00-11:00 AM followed by funeral services at 11:00 AM at the Aram Bedrosian Funeral Home, 558 Mt Auburn Street, Watertown. Interment at Needham Cemetery, 128 Nehoiden Street, Needham, MA. Relatives and friends are kindly invited to attend.
Veteran USAF, Korean Conflict.
In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to the St. James Armenian Church or the American Heart Association.