Paul F. Saunders, 76, of New Bedford died Friday September 16, 2005 at home after a brief illness. He was the husband of Deborah L. Hynes Saunders; they had been married for 20 years.
Born in New Bedford, the son of the late Capt. Herman R. and Matilda M. (O'Reilly) Saunders, he lived in New Bedford for most of his life.
Mr. Saunders was the former proprietor of Saunders Oil Company for many years. A well-known figure on the New Bedford waterfront, he had been the owner of several fishing vessels, including F/V Nine, F/V Matilda S., F/V Chivas Regal, and F/V Crown Royal. He was the former director of the City of New Bedford Harbor Development Commission and later worked as Port Director for the City of Newport News, Virginia. He had worked for Texaco Marine Service. Most recently he was employed as a marine safety inspector for the U.S. Coast Guard in Providence.
During World War II, he served in the U.S. Navy. He was a member of the Veterans of Foreign Wars Andrews-Dahill Post 1531, the Wamsutta Club, the Country Club of New Bedford, the New Bedford Port Society and the Propellor Club of the United States. He was a graduate of New Bedford High School.
Survivors include his wife; five sons, P. Mark Saunders of El Segundo, Calif., David H. Saunders, Timothy G. Saunders, and New Bedford City Councilor John T. Saunders, all of New Bedford, and Stephen J. Saunders of Fairhaven; five daughters, Paula A. Saunders, Andrea Saint-Aubin, Adrienne M. Saunders, Martha A. Saunders and Emily H. Saunders, all of New Bedford; five brothers, Herman R. Saunders, Richard T. Saunders, and Thomas F. Saunders, all of New Bedford, John W. "Jack" Saunders of Dartmouth, and Daniel J. Saunders of Fall River; two sisters, Mary M. Welch of Lakeville and Joan M. Liarikos of Rochester; 14 grandchildren; and many nieces and nephews.
He was the brother of the late Katherine F. Sullivan and Albert E. Saunders.
Funeral from the Saunders-Dwyer Home for Funerals, 495 Park St., New Bedford, Monday, September 19, 2005 at 9 AM. Funeral Mass at St. Lawrence Church at 10 AM. Relatives and friends are invited to attend. Burial will follow in St. Mary's Cemetery. Visiting hours will be on Sunday, September 18, 2005 from 4-8 PM. In lieu of flowers, remembrances may be made to St. Luke's Hospital Capital Campaign, Attn: External Affairs Dept., 101 Page St., New Bedford, MA 02740.