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Chris McGovern
October 13, 2025
I met Paul in first grade, at Roby School, and continued to know him as a school mate all through High School.
In later years, we. Worked together in Sears Roebuck, where he might often times give me a ride home after our shift. He was a very gentle and genuine young man.
I remember in our Junior High music class, we were asked to make musical instruments. The majority of us ended up making some lame excuse for instruments. ( I made maracas out of my mom´s pantyhose containers "Leggs Eggs" filled with beans) but Paul showed up with a gorgeous scaled down replica of a grand, gold pipe organ with all the details of the keys and pipes. That sums up in my mind who Paul was; a quiet and sincere " glass half full" kind of person.
He forgot and forgave me for the childish cruelties that I caused him, due to my own insecurities, and we ended up friends as adults.
I am truly sorry to learn of his passing.
Eddie Besozzi
August 15, 2025
Hi,
I´ve been listening to a podcast by Anderson Cooper entitled "All There Is." The focus of his podcast is simple: grief. It´s a fascinating, intellectual, visceral, and emotionally, non-scripted discussion about his own grief, layered with interviews of the famous and not so famous folks. I write down quotes that resonate with my personal losses. In season 2, episode 9, at 31 minutes and 40 seconds, Anderson reads a poem that someone gave him after his brother, Carter, died by suicide nearly 30 years ago. I thought of my dear friend, Paul, and I just wanted to share it with anyone who reads this. " Death is nothing at all. I´ve only slipped away to the next room. I am I, and you are you. Whatever we were to each other, that we still are. Call me by my old, familiar name. Speak to me in the easy way, which you always used to. Put no difference into your tone with no forced air of solemnity or sorrow. Laugh, as we always laughed at the little jokes we enjoyed together. Let my name be ever the household word that it always ever was. Let it be spoken without affect, without the trace of a shadow on it. Why should I be out of mind because I am out of sight? I am but waiting for you, somewhere, very near, around the corner."
I only wish that it were that easy, but I take solace that your spirit sometimes weaves in and out of my life, creating "Paul Robie" moments. We all miss you. Love, Eddie
Edward Boyer
May 19, 2025
Paul...where to begin? Remember Boston, the Lafayette Place, Aux Chocolats? You moved to Baltimore, long before email, and social media.
I relocated Au Chocolat to the business district, we obviously lost touch. I'm about to retire, cleaning out the shop and came across a card from you. Who knew I had this info until now? It has your address and phone, and now sadly found and you have moved on again! Well, we'll meet again and tell our tales!!



Astrid
October 5, 2024
Dear Jon, Beth & Lauren,
Paul was a dear friend and part of my German family , where we have spend so many wonderful and cherished moments together .. travelling around the world together , seeing my daughter grow up as the "German" uncle Paulito .
I´m grateful for every moment we were able to share and spend together, the beautiful memories and the lovely weekly Sunday phone calls we shared.
We will always remember Paul and keep a loving memory .
Astrid & Marie-Thèrèse
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Eduardo Besozzi
September 16, 2024
Dear Jon, Beth, Joel, Lauren, David, and Sam,
Paul was truly my best friend. We met on Tuesday, September 6, 1988, in Dr. Fran Burke's "Foundations of Public Administration, #701," class at Suffolk University's Master of Public Administration Program. There was one empty seat near the front and I quickly sat down. We exchanged pleasantries, current jobs, and why we enrolled in the MPA Program. Our classes were twice per week so I sat next to him on Thursday. We sat next to each other for the next 3.5 years. We lived a short each other so studying and writing papers together was to our advantage, and we both liked each other. Paul was brilliant when it came to crafting a plethora of papers that used the principles of government public administration. My field was in higher education administration. I learned so much from Paul. But that alone does not create a friendship. I was working in the Back Bay and drove into Boston every day. Paul used public transportation and not very convenient from his house. It was a no-brainer to say, "Paul, I can drive you home after class since I already drive past your exit to get home." He accepted my offer. (Well, why wouldn't he?) Twice per week, we would walk 15 minutes down Beacon Street, admiring the stately single-family townhouses. We would oogle and peer into their windows when the drapes were open. Paul, even 36 years ago, would offer his opinion. "Why would the owners paint that coffered ceiling? It's mahogany!" Or, "That chandelier looks original, can you just imagine?" We graduated and followed each other's lives seamlessly. We occasionally traveled together. I visited him in his first apartment. I never moved so nearly every time he visited his parents and family, we would get together. It was fun to catch up in person. I was fortunate to get to know his mom very well. I would ask what Beth, Joel, his nephew David, or Uncle Al and Aunt Toni were up to. We experienced and shared the deaths of our parents. We each had a brother who passed away. He listened to my breakups and who was the newest guy in my life. I loved hearing about his romance with Jon and the life they spent together. During the past 8 years or so, Paul and I spoke on the phone at least 2-3 times per week-sometimes at great length and sometimes just to say "hi." I would always call him as I drove 1.5 hours to my mom's house and he would call me on his way to Costco. He loved being on the Homeland's Architectural Committee and I heard all about it. I was on the Board of Directors for Lynn Committee Health Community Center and we discussed the pitiful state of health care in this country. Our interests were varied and somehow, unknowingly, many converged. From the best way to cut hydrangeas to the best heat pumps to vintage china, glassware, or ephemera. We would constantly exchange newspaper articles-I will miss that terribly. I miss it now. Who am I going to discuss our love of grammar and French? Four years ago, I fell off a ladder and suffered a life-changing event. Unable to walk, I was confined to a hospital bed in my living room. Depressed, in great pain, unsure of being able to walk again, and unable to do anything, he called me all the time. I was in a dark place, yet Paul was always so patient, kind, and positive. He listened. He never gave up on me. When he came up to Saugus, he would take me to his family home to have dinner and watch TV-"Love It or List It," "All Creatures Great and Small," "Antique Roadshow," or anything PBS-related were our shows. I was fortunate to spend many holidays with him. Paul would take me to a grocery store. He would change a lightbulb or move a piece of furniture for me. Paul did that for two years until I was able to drive. That was who Paul was, a stalwart friend. He gave me useful advice whenever I asked for it. Paul was the only person with whom I shared my life. He knew me better than anyone else did. In turn, because we trusted each other, he shared his life with me. I am especially grateful for that. I'm glad that I took him out for dinner on his 60th birthday. I'm happy that Paul, Beth, Joel, and I dined at the Beauport Inn in Gloucester last Thanksgiving. Now that Paul is gone, I am constantly reminded of something I miss about him. Most of all, I miss our friendship. We are heartbroken. We are in a state of immeasurable loss because we all looked forward to having another chat on the phone or meal together or email from Paul. But what we do have are our memories of Paul, collectively and personally.
"Let us be grateful to the people who make us happy: they are the charming gardeners who make our souls blossom." Marcel Proust
Lynn Petersons
September 11, 2024
I met Paul when he volunteered to be on the Architectural Committee over 20 years ago. . He always found the information needed on various archives in both the University of Baltimore and the Sheridan Library at Hopkins. We spent many hours together pouring over old Roland Park Company records and original architectural drawings. He had quite a collection of research materials which informed his decisions. I will miss him and his insights. Rest in peace, Paul.
Susan McCarter
September 11, 2024
I met Paul over 20 years ago when I joined the Architecture Committee. Always a voice of reason on the Committee, he became a close friend. We shared a love of England, and he, Jon, and I visited there together. For many years we had lunch every Saturday. We were also weekly customers at a local resale shop, where he searched for the vintage china he collected. He was an important part of my life, and I will always miss him.
Benjamin Feldman
September 11, 2024
I knew Paul through his work in our neighborhood. He was a walking encyclopedia. He counted his words and made them all count. He had a wicked twinkle in his eye. Nothing passed his notice. I was shocked to learn this dreadful news, and send my condolences to Jon and to Paul's family.
Ray Mitzel
September 10, 2024
Paul was a good friend at SSA for many years. His wonderful sense of humor always made it fun to spend time with him. Later, I served with him on the Homeland Board where I gained tremendous respect for his articulately-expressed recommendations, which were based on careful research and analysis. His untimely passing is a huge loss. My sincere condolences.
Mark Harris
September 6, 2024
So sorry for your loss. I worked with Paul at SSI for 19 years. He taught me many things about being a good analyst. He was the one who I went to for advice, and he was always helpful. He had a wit that was entertaining, and made work fun. I will miss him.
Mary Julia Bailey
September 4, 2024
Paul was a longtime coworker at SSA. I always appreciated his hard work, his thorough insights, and his dedication. He was always very kind and helpful. I am so sorry to learn of his death at such a young age.
Mary Julia Bailey
Norman Finnance
September 3, 2024
Our sincere condolences Jon. Paul welcomed my husband and I at our first Homeland meeting. His generous and huge contribution to the neighborhood will be felt for years to come. Thank you Paul.
Jon Carneiro
September 2, 2024
I spent 26 years with Paul as the person I loved the most. My heart is fractured into many little pieces by his death. We spent many topsy turvy years building a lovely home and traveling to wonderful places. Your Jonito misses you terribly my dear Paulito.
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