DUDLEY, MA – It is with great sadness that the family of Paul M. Joseph announce his passing on May 19, 2025, at UMass Memorial Hospital. Paul died in the presence of his family, and he is now at peace. The family wishes to express their sincere gratitude to Dr. Maria Hincapie for her incredible kindness, support and care shown to him during his time there.
Paul leaves his wife of 40 years, Lauri (Zdrok) Joseph; sons, Tucker of Frisco, CO, Teague of Narragansett, RI; his daughter, Katie “KJ”, of Webster; his beloved granddaughter, Alice Joseph of Narragansett, RI; his siblings: Ken Joseph and wife Geraldine of Stow, Chris Hayes and husband Bob of Rutland, Chuck Joseph and wife Cathy of Hopkinton and Judy St. Thomas and husband Jim of Cumberland, RI; his lifelong friend, “Uncle” Davey “Grub” LaPointe; his nieces and nephews Adam, Greg, Hilary, Kyle, DJ, Mike, Buck, Mary, and Joe. He was predeceased by his first wife, Marilyn Pinaud, mother of Tucker and Teague. Surely missing Paul will be his cherished Pomeranians -Pumpkin, Misiu and Loki.
Paul was the son of the late George and Helen (Bourgeois) Joseph.
Paul was a remarkable man of many talents, passions and accomplishments.
He graduated from St. John’s High School in Shrewsbury in 1964, where he played varsity football, and participated in many other activities. He attended the College of the Holy Cross and graduated from Worcester State College (WSC), now University. He received his Master’s degree in Psychology from Anna Maria College.
Paul was a consummate sports lover, competitor, spectator, statistician and advocate for community, high school and collegiate athletics. He enjoyed coaching youth basketball and softball, as well as college track and the Worcester Touch Football League in the mid-70s.
He began his 30-year faculty career at WSC in 1971 as a Sports Information Director, went on to become the Manager of Recreational Facilities, Director of Student Center Activities, and the Assistant, Associate, and finally Dean of Student Affairs, retiring in 2002. He was a valued and respected faculty member who contributed both his time and talent to making Worcester State all it could be.
While there in 1969, Paul was a founding member of the WSC football club and served as its first co-captain. Through his advocacy, it became a varsity sport in 1985. He was instrumental in designing and building the Rockwood Field softball diamond and helped to bring the ’96 U.S. Olympic Softball team to Worcester. Following that accomplishment, in 2000 he organized the committee to bring the U.S. Olympic Softball team back to the city.
He also was actively involved in promoting and developing the John Coughlin Astroturf complex at WSC. This athletic venue was the site of the Massachusetts Interscholastic Athletic Association soccer and field hockey tournaments in ’97 and ’98 and hosted three Central Massachusetts football tournaments. He enjoyed umpiring softball games and was recognized by the American Softball Association as an outstanding official.
For his decades of service and advocacy, Paul was inducted into the Worcester State Sports Hall of Fame as a “Lancer Super Fan” in 2003.
In addition to his work at WSC, Paul owned a landscaping business, was a certified auctioneer, and a shopper of antiques. He was also a certified numismatist - appraising, buying and selling coins. Paul owned and operated Grey Ghost Auction Services. A licensed personal property appraiser, conducting estate sales and supervising clean-outs of homes, both in MA and out of state.
In addition to the above pursuits, Paul served his home community of Dudley on the Police Evaluating Committee for 15 years, the Building Committee, the Southern Worcester County Regional Dispatch Committee, and as a Selectman for 18 years. He was dedicated to his job and was able to bring improvements to the town.
With his wife Lauri, he worked for the Blessed Backpack Brigade, a non-profit organization that sees to the needs of the unhoused and less fortunate in the Webster-Dudley area and beyond into Southern Worcester County.
He was also a member of the MA Army National Guard receiving several honors and commendations.
Paul was loved by his family, his colleagues and his friends. His gregarious personality, sense of humor, high intellect and passion for a myriad of pursuits brought many interesting people into his life. He certainly enjoyed engaging with people from all walks of life.
Paul, we will never forget you.
A memorial Mass will be held at 11:00 AM on Friday, May 30th in St. Joseph Basilica, 53 Whitcomb Street, Webster. Burial with military honors will be in Saint Joseph Garden of Peace. Calling hours will be held on Thursday, May 29, from 5:00 to 7:00 PM in the Scanlon Funeral Service, 38 East Main Street, Webster. The family requests that in lieu of flowers, donations in his name be made to the Blessed Backpack Brigade, 42 Airport Road, Dudley, MA 01571.