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PAUL GURNEY Obituary
Paul was born on May 15, 1944, in Woburn, Mass., to Elmer Ellsworth Gurney and Ella Mae (O'Neil). He was raised in Burlington, Mass., along with two brothers. He was a 1962 graduate of Burlington High School, where he was president of the Honor Society and captain of the football and basketball teams. He married his high-school sweetheart Jacqueline (Loiselle), then entered military service in 1966 and served in Korea. He completed his service to the 4th US Army Company C in 1969. He then earned a degree at UMass-Lowell and began a family.
For most of his life, Paul Sr. operated his own highly regarded plumbing and heating business, first in Massachusetts, then later in Maine, where he remarried to Lauren (Finkel), a remarkable life partner. He also owned a campground in Maine and had quite a few stories to tell about that experience. In recent years, he again grew inspired by green technologies like solar heating, and resumed his professional interest from 30 years prior. Paul Sr. greatly enjoyed all aspects of nature: hiking, fishing, boating, camping, bicycling and skiing, plus sports like tennis, baseball and football, and enjoyed these activities with his family and friends. He was a generous and enthusiastic man, coaching his children, grandchildren, nephews and nieces in all manner of life skills and play. Favorite family memories include many "family week" vacations at various lake houses in Maine.
Paul Sr. was preceded in death by his father; and an older brother, Frederick Gurney.
He is survived by his mother, Ella Mae; and remaining brother Richard Gurney; his daughters, Danielle Marie Brookings and Tiffany Erin Caruso; sons Paul David Gurney Jr. and Matthew Shipps; grandchildren Jennifer Courtney Brookings, Justin Aaron Brookings, Joshua Anthony Caruso, Gabriel Tristan Shipps and Adam Matthew Caruso; great-granddaughter Kayla Melanie Brookings; many special nieces, nephews and friends; and his little canine companion Willa.
A private celebration of Paul's life will be held for close relatives and friends, and later his ashes will be returned to his beloved Maine.
To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.
Memories and Condolences
for PAUL GURNEY
6 Entries
Tiffany Caruso
February 21, 2013
Thank you all for your kind words about our Dad. I'm glad that he had such wonderful and caring friends and customers. He was definitely a special man and touched many lives in Mass and Maine.
ronald gordon
February 16, 2013
Im so sorry for your loss paul was a great freind and boss i will miss him with all of my heart
Barbara Jackson Kasiola
February 14, 2013
My prayers go out to your family. Paul was such a great man. I lived next door to him growing up in Burlington. I found out he was in Maine and he became my plumber. We had some great conversations. He will surely be missed.
doanld beattie
February 14, 2013
Thanks Tiffany.
February 14, 2013
Thank you Donald for your kind words about our Dad. He will be missed immensely. He was a great man in many ways. He was always willing to help others out and was kind and caring to anyone that crossed his path. We will all cherish our times spent in his presence.
Tiffany Caruso, daughter in Massachusetts.
Donald Beattie
February 13, 2013
Condolences to all his family and friends. Paul fought the good fight. He was my plumber and heating spcialis for decades. I was not only impressed by his intellect (he and I both loved to read the works of Herman Melville for example)his work, the fact that he and I are both left-handed and therefore at least right brained if not having a balance of both right and left brain capacity but it was his fortitute and ability to overcome severe 'invisible' diseases. Those that would cripple the body and mind let alone the perseverence of most humans. I've lost two friends this ear. I will miss my conversations with Paul. My memories and yours will be with us througout....
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