WINTHROP - Thomas Paul, age 64, of Winthrop & Somerset, MA, passed away unexpectedly on Friday, March 3, 2017. Born in Fall River, he was the son of the late Arthur “Chick” Paul and Rose (Silvia) Paul. Tom worked for the M.B.T.A in Charlestown as a Bus Driver.
He is survived by a sister: Susan Matthews of Las Vegas, NV, nieces Stephanie Matthews-White of Somerset, MA, Julie Baker of Houston, TX, and Daniel Matthews and Aiyana Baker of Houston, TX.
Tom was a motor coach operator since 1978, beginning his driving career for bus companies at Logan Airport, Paul Revere, Brush Hill, Greyhound, and Peter Pan until 1999 when he began driving for the MBTA.
Tom loved busses since his earliest years. The hobby/ interest that eventually became his livelihood was also his passion. He was a longtime member of the National Motor Coach Society, The Motor Coach Preservation Association, and the Bus History and Preservation Organization (U.S. & CAN). He had extraordinary wealth of knowledge on all things bus.
Tom was an active member of the Amalgamated Transit Union, Boston Carmen’s union, local 589 in Boston.
He also was an avid traveler and enjoyed many cruises. His journeys took him to witness the natural wonder of Alaska and the Pacific Northwest, The Panama Canal, Canada, San Francisco and Alcatraz Island, and numerous national parks. He crossed the equator and the southernmost tip of Africa at the Cape of Good Hope and transverse the Arctic Circle. He drove cross country in a quest to see each state including the famous Route 66. He represented his father, a WW II D-Day invasion at Normandy survivor, at the National Presidential Honor Ceremony aboard the USS Missouri and the USS Arizona at Pearl Harbor, Hawaii.
He was a member of the 9/11 Memorial Society, The Wounded Warrior Project, The Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals, and the Boston Children’s Hospital. As well as a supporter for numerous charities and organizations.
His funeral will take place from Manuel Rogers & Sons Funeral Home, 1521 N. Main St Fall River, MA on Thursday at 9:00 A.M. followed by a mass of Christian Burial in St. John of God Church 996 Brayton Ave, Somerset at 10:00 A.M. Interment in St. Patrick’s Cemetery, Fall River. Calling hours on Wednesday 4-7 P.M. www.rogersfuneral.com.