Paul A. Kent

Paul A. Kent, a former resident of Lexington, passed away at the Kaplan Family Hospice House in Danvers on Monday, May 7th. The beloved son of Lynne M. (Goralski) Kent of Converse, Texas, and the late Henry Kent, he was sixty-three years of age. Born in Dorchester, he was one of four children born to the Kent family. They moved to Lexington where Mr. Kent was raised and educated, graduating from Lexington High School, Class of 1966. Following high school he served in the US Army and was honorably discharged in 1968. He then attended Newbury College, where he received an Associates Degree in Management. He began his first job at Merrill Lynch, where he remained for several years, and then continued to Smith Barney. After several years he transferred to Oppenheimer, where he remained until his retirement in 2000. Mr. Kent worked hard throughout his career and eventually rose up the ranks to the position of Compliance Officer in Beverly Hills, California. He was highly respected amongst his colleagues and in his industry. His knowledge in finance and numbers was phenomenal, and he was always willing to share his expertise, mentoring many colleagues. Mr. Kent was tremendous at his job - working in the finance area with stocks, bonds, tradings and numbers, he was in his element. He enjoyed working with numbers socially as well, be it playing cards, playing craps, or making a bet, Paul was always "on the money." Mr. Kent's greatest gift in life was that of his daughter and son. He cherished being with them and participating in their personal events through out the years. After his children married and they had children of their own, he instantly took on wonderful relationships with each of his grandchildren. He loved being called "Grandpa" and made himself immediately available for babysitting duties or even just spending time with them on walks, playing with them in the backyard, or possibly just taking them for a ride. Mr. Kent had a wonderful zest for life. He loved cooking and would often host social gatherings at his home. An active sports enthusiast, he had a real interest in collecting sports memorabilia. Taking trips to Foxwoods or Las Vegas with his friends was always something he looked forward to. Being a person who was so admired and respected in his field, he always felt being a father was much, much more. Throughout his lifetime Mr. Kent always believed that life was always about family, friends and simple pleasures, all of which brought much joy to him. He was predeceased by his father, Henry Kent. He is lovingly survived by his children, James P. Kent and his wife Ginger of Scottsdale, Arizona and Jennifer Boynton and her husband Geoffrey of Woburn, his mother, Lynne M. Kent of Converse, Texas, his brother, Richard Kent and his wife Carolyn of Wellesley, his twin Philip Kent of Converse, Texas, and sister, Dianne Etnyre and her husband Phil of Huntington Beach, California, his grandchildren, Jacqueline and Joseph Boynton and Allston and William Kent, his niece, Sarah, and nephew, Bryan Etnyre. The funeral will be held from the Lynch-Cantillon Funeral Home, Woburn on Friday, May 11th, followed by a Funeral Mass in St. Barbara's Church, 138 Cambridge Road, Woburn at 10. Interment is private.