John Paul Larkin was born in Boston, MA on 21 October 1915, the youngest of William and Margaret (Cassidy) Larkin’s three sons. Graduating from Boston English High School, Paul, always aspiring to better himself, continued his education at Boston University before earning his law degree from Suffolk University Law School.
In 1941, as a young lawyer, Paul was hired by the Federal Bureau of Investigation to help in the war effort by serving as an undercover agent in Costa Rica. With an immersion course in Spanish and his intuition to guide him, Paul conceded that this experience played a pivotal role in his life. From Costa Rica, Paul was ultimately transferred to Philadelphia where he met and married Irene Schubert. Embarking on another international assignment, Paul and his bride moved to Caracas, Venezuela, and it was there that their first son William was born. A second son, John Jr., will bless them in 1948.
Returning to the United States in 1947, Larkin remained in the Boston office until his retirement from the FBI in 1966. In 1950, during his tenure in Boston, the so-called “Crime of the Century,” the Brink’s Robbery, occurred. Just before the statute of limitations was to run out, Larkin secured testimony from one of the perpetrators, Joseph M “Specs” O’Keefe, which proved pivotal in the prosecution of the Brink’s case.
Upon leaving the Bureau, Paul joined Boston University School of Law to serve as Assistant Attorney Supervisor in the 1967 inauguration of the Student Prosecutor Program, thus being appointed as an assistant District Attorney of Suffolk County. From this position, he moved to supervising counsel of the Massachusetts Claim Investigation, an organization responsible for investigating fraudulent automobile insurance claims.
Larkin’s skills as a criminal investigator, his broad experience in dealing with organized crime, his reputation for honesty and his known integrity in law enforcement led him to his appointment as Assistant Attorney General for the state of Massachusetts. In charge of the Organized Crime Section of the department’s Criminal Division, he held that post from 1969 through 1973.
His final position in public service for the state of Massachusetts was as Executive Secretary, then Chairman of the Alcoholic Beverage Control Commission from 1973 until his resignation in 1983.
Following the death of his wife Irene, Paul married Marie Deary, who opened a second chapter of joy in his life. They shared a passion for world travel and took every opportunity to expand their knowledge and horizons. Their trips took them to Asia, Africa, Europe, coast-to-coast United States, even cruising for more than a month around South America. Paul was an avid opera fan and self-proclaimed “newspaper junkie” who read the Boston Globe from cover to cover every day. The Dearys and Larkins found great pleasure, love and support in the blending of their families.
While Paul’s career leaves an impressive legacy, he will be remembered by his family and friends as their hero, a loving, warm, wise and cherished man. Paul leaves behind his beloved wife of 18 years, Marie; his sons, William (Bill) Larkin, wife Martha of Williamsburg, VA; John Larkin, Jr., wife Connie of Portland, OR; Jack Deary, wife Tania; Kathy Deary Glynn, husband Tom; Randy Deary, 11 grandchildren, 6 great-grandchildren, 6 nephews, 1 niece and extended family members.
Relatives and friends are invited to gather at the Costello Funeral Home 177 Washington St., Winchester on Sat., March 15 at 9:30AM followed by a Mass of Christian Burial in St. Mary’s Church 155 Washington St. Winchester at 11AM. Interment will follow in Wildwood Cemetery, Winchester. In respect of the Lenten Season, in lieu of flowers, donations in his memory may be made to the Dana-Farber Cancer Institute P.O. Box 849168 Boston, MA 02284-9168. www.costellofuneralhome.com
In 1941, as a young lawyer, Paul was hired by the Federal Bureau of Investigation to help in the war effort by serving as an undercover agent in Costa Rica. With an immersion course in Spanish and his intuition to guide him, Paul conceded that this experience played a pivotal role in his life. From Costa Rica, Paul was ultimately transferred to Philadelphia where he met and married Irene Schubert. Embarking on another international assignment, Paul and his bride moved to Caracas, Venezuela, and it was there that their first son William was born. A second son, John Jr., will bless them in 1948.
Returning to the United States in 1947, Larkin remained in the Boston office until his retirement from the FBI in 1966. In 1950, during his tenure in Boston, the so-called “Crime of the Century,” the Brink’s Robbery, occurred. Just before the statute of limitations was to run out, Larkin secured testimony from one of the perpetrators, Joseph M “Specs” O’Keefe, which proved pivotal in the prosecution of the Brink’s case.
Upon leaving the Bureau, Paul joined Boston University School of Law to serve as Assistant Attorney Supervisor in the 1967 inauguration of the Student Prosecutor Program, thus being appointed as an assistant District Attorney of Suffolk County. From this position, he moved to supervising counsel of the Massachusetts Claim Investigation, an organization responsible for investigating fraudulent automobile insurance claims.
Larkin’s skills as a criminal investigator, his broad experience in dealing with organized crime, his reputation for honesty and his known integrity in law enforcement led him to his appointment as Assistant Attorney General for the state of Massachusetts. In charge of the Organized Crime Section of the department’s Criminal Division, he held that post from 1969 through 1973.
His final position in public service for the state of Massachusetts was as Executive Secretary, then Chairman of the Alcoholic Beverage Control Commission from 1973 until his resignation in 1983.
Following the death of his wife Irene, Paul married Marie Deary, who opened a second chapter of joy in his life. They shared a passion for world travel and took every opportunity to expand their knowledge and horizons. Their trips took them to Asia, Africa, Europe, coast-to-coast United States, even cruising for more than a month around South America. Paul was an avid opera fan and self-proclaimed “newspaper junkie” who read the Boston Globe from cover to cover every day. The Dearys and Larkins found great pleasure, love and support in the blending of their families.
While Paul’s career leaves an impressive legacy, he will be remembered by his family and friends as their hero, a loving, warm, wise and cherished man. Paul leaves behind his beloved wife of 18 years, Marie; his sons, William (Bill) Larkin, wife Martha of Williamsburg, VA; John Larkin, Jr., wife Connie of Portland, OR; Jack Deary, wife Tania; Kathy Deary Glynn, husband Tom; Randy Deary, 11 grandchildren, 6 great-grandchildren, 6 nephews, 1 niece and extended family members.
Relatives and friends are invited to gather at the Costello Funeral Home 177 Washington St., Winchester on Sat., March 15 at 9:30AM followed by a Mass of Christian Burial in St. Mary’s Church 155 Washington St. Winchester at 11AM. Interment will follow in Wildwood Cemetery, Winchester. In respect of the Lenten Season, in lieu of flowers, donations in his memory may be made to the Dana-Farber Cancer Institute P.O. Box 849168 Boston, MA 02284-9168. www.costellofuneralhome.com
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