Paul Charles Buerlen, age 84, a former longtime Natick resident, died peacefully at his daughter’s home surrounded by his loving family on Monday afternoon, December 12, 2011.
Born in Easton, PA, on March 13, 1927, he was a son of the late Ruth C. (Hofschild) Pfau and Joseph P. Buerlen, Jr. Paul was raised and educated in Phillipsburg, NJ. At age 19 he entered the Navy and served aboard the USS New Jersey (BB-62) stationed in the Philippines.
Paul was separated from the Navy in 1948 and later that year married the former Helen P. Koczko. The newlyweds lived in Ohio prior to settling in Natick in 1950. Paul taught at the Carnegie Institute and worked for a time as a lab technician at Framingham Union Hospital. For twelve years he served as the head of the Blood Bank at Peter Bent Brigham Hospital. Changing careers, he then was employed as a chemist with the Dennison Manufacturing Corporation until his retirement.
A longtime member of the Natick VFW Post 1274, Paul particularly enjoyed serving on the Honor Guard and placing flags at veterans’ graves for Memorial Day. He fished with Helen on the shores of Fiske Pond, collected coins and dabbled in photography. The Buerlens had vacationed on Cape Cod for many years and, after retirement, moved to Windmill Village in Davenport, Florida. They were volunteers for the Polk County (FL) Sheriff’s Office C.A.P. program with which they patrolled their community and attended Sheriff sponsored events. Paul and Helen swam every morning, earning the nickname “The Polar Bears” for swimming in Florida during winter. They also loved to travel.
In 2007, he lost his beloved Helen after 59 years, one week and one day of marriage. Paul fell ill during the summer of 2010 and returned to Natick to reside with his daughter Susan P. Miller and her husband Michael, who have since devoted themselves to his care. He is also survived by a son, Paul J. Buerlen and his wife Rachel of Rutland; three grandchildren, Michael Greska and wife Michelle of Billerica, and Jason Buerlen and Holly Buerlen of Rutland; three great-grandchildren, Randi, James, and China; a great-great- grandson; a brother, Joseph M. Buerlen of OH; and a sister, Grace M. Buerlen of PA.
Paul’s funeral will be from the John Everett & Sons Funeral Home, 4 Park Street (at Natick Common) Natick on Friday, December 16th at 8:15a.m. followed by a Mass of Christian Burial at Saint Linus Church, 119 Hartford Street, Natick. Burial will be private. Visiting hours will be held on Thursday 4 – 7p.m.
Memorial donations may be made to VNA Care Network & Hospice, 120 Thomas Street, Worcester, MA 01608.