Paul "Puddy" Haley, of Woburn—a beloved husband, father, and “Pa” passed away on
Monday, January 12, 2026, surrounded by his loving family. He was 71 years old.
Born in Winchester to Thomas J. and Dorothy (McHale) Haley, Puddy was the fourth of six children. His life was defined by a quiet strength that emerged early, when his father passed
away in 1971, Puddy stepped up while his brothers were away at service and college. He became
the head of the household, working hard to support his mother and sisters.
This work ethic continued throughout his life. A lifelong working man, Puddy began adding to his money drawer as a paperboy and through various part-time jobs. After graduating from Northeast Vocational Technical School`s printing program in 1972, he was recruited by UniGraphics in Saugus. When the company relocated to Woburn, he became the envy of his colleagues for a commute that featured only a single stoplight. He eventually finished his career
at Hannaford Dumas in Woburn.
Puddy`s greatest devotion, however, was to his family. He met his future wife, Patty, at the
Goodyear Elementary School. They married in August 1981 and shared 44 years of marriage, raising three sons: Paul, Daniel, and Joseph.
He exemplified loyalty, love, and kindness not through words, but through his actions. During his downtime, Puddy enjoyed taking the boys fishing locally and taking summer trips to Maine. He loved being around friends and loved ones, whether for Monday night cards or Friday night cornhole. He also enjoyed trying his luck with scratch tickets and always looked forward to a trip to Encore.
Puddy was just as generous with his talents as he was with his time. It was not uncommon for him to show up at a relative’s house with fresh tomatoes from his garden, beautiful peonies, or his famous whoopie pies. For a time, his custom cornhole boards kept him busy in his garage,
while his dry sense of humor and quick wit kept everyone on their toes.
Of all his titles, "Pa" was his most cherished. He was frequently entertained by a full house of rambunctious grandkids, though from time to time, he still enjoyed a quiet puzzle break. Puddy leaves behind a legacy of quiet strength and a kind spirit that will be deeply missed by all who knew him.
Puddy is lovingly survived by his beloved wife Patricia (Nilsson) Haley. He was the devoted father of Paul Haley and his wife Michelle of Tewksbury, Daniel Haley and his wife Emily, Joseph Haley and his wife Melina, all of Woburn. Loving grandfather of Finn, Lucy, Thea, Oliver, and Rhys.
Cherished brother of Thomas Haley and wife Carol of Wakefield, Joan Severance and husband
Robert of Woburn, John Haley and wife Heidi of Greenfield, NH, Mary Lynch and husband
Patrick of Centerville, Dorothy Finlayson and husband Kenneth of Woburn. Brother-in-law of
Elaine Nilsson of Woburn, Peter Nilsson and wife Trisha of Mashpee, Mary Cain and husband
Mark of Woburn, Kris Ahearn and husband Greg of Woburn, the late John Nilsson and Hibby
Nilsson. Further survived by many loving nieces, nephews and extended family members.
Funeral Services will be held from the McLaughlin - Dello Russo Family Funeral Home, 60
Pleasant St., WOBURN, Tuesday, January 20th, at 9 a.m. followed by a funeral Mass celebrated in St. Charles Borromeo Church, 280 Main St., Woburn, at 10 a.m. Relatives and friends are respectfully invited to attend. Services will conclude with interment at Woodbrook Cemetery, Woburn. Visiting hours at the McLaughlin – Dello Russo Funeral Home will be held on Monday, January 19th, from 4 to 8 p.m. It has been requested that in lieu of flowers, contributions may be made in Paul's memory to Beth Israel Lahey Health at Home Hospice, gift processing 41 Mall Rd. Burlington, MA 01805.