Paul Watkins, 89, of Vero Beach and Wellesley, Mass., passed away on Sept. 6, 2016, surrounded by his loving family at the VNA Hospice House.
He is survived by Ann, his wife of 62 years; son Richard Watkins (Lauren); granddaughters Paige, Summer and Brooke of Windermere, Fla.; daughter Jan Kelly (Kevin); granddaughters Kaitlyn and Jacqueline, of Marietta, Ga., and William “Billy Ray” Watkins of Raleigh, N.C.; and two nephews, two nieces and their children.
Watikins was born June 3, 1927, in Beverly, Mass., and spent his early years in Cambridge, Mass.
He graduated from Browne and Nichols, earned his chemical engineering degree from M.I.T. and his MBA from Harvard Business School.
He began his career as an engineer at Conoco Oil in Texas. He returned to Cambridge, Mass., in 1952 to manage the family real estate firm, Harlow Matthews, for the next 35 years. Throughout his career (which included sitting on the Rent Control Board), he was most notably recognized for his tenant advocacy and ethics.
In 1954, he married the love of his life, Ann Holt, and they raised three children in Weston, Mass. While living in Weston, he was moderator of the Congregational Church of Weston and a 50-year member of the Charles River Power Squadron, serving as Commander for a term. He was also a Rotarian (Cambridge Rotary) with decades of perfect attendance.
After selling the business and retiring in 1987, he continued to enjoy his favorite pastimes: golfing at Brae Burn Country Club (Newton, Mass.) and Grand Harbor (Vero Beach), boating off the coast of Cape Cod and traveling abroad.
He was completely dedicated to his family. He particularly enjoyed the week-long family reunions which have occurred every Thanksgiving for the past 18 years.
A memorial service and reception will be held at Mount Auburn Cemetery (Bigelow Chapel) in Cambridge, Mass., on Sept. 26, 2016, at 11 a.m. with family and friends. A private burial for family will follow. Donations in Paul’s memory may be made to VNA Hospice Care, 1110 35th Lane, Vero Beach, FL 32960. Arrangements are under the direction of Cox Gifford Seawinds Funeral Home and Crematory, Vero Beach. Online condolences may be sent to www.coxgiffordseawinds.com.
Cox Gifford Seawinds Funeral Home is handling arrangements.
