Paul C. Menton

Watertown – Throughout his life Paul Menton was able to do what every well-trained Marine is taught at Parris Island . . . improvise, adapt and overcome.

No matter what challenges he faced, he was able to meet them with a smile and a large dose of determination. When Paul left high school as a boy during World War II to join the Marines he was sent to the Pacific and three years later came home a man.

After the war he finished high school and went to Suffolk University in Boston where he earned his undergraduate and law degrees. At the same time he went to work as a hospital technician at Boston State Hospital where he met the love of his life, Dorchester native Mary T. Regan. Paul would tell you that his best day came in September, 1950 when he and Mary were married at Saint Ann's in Dorchester. They enjoyed sixty-one happy years until Mary's death on December 16, 2011.

So when, after 92 years, the Honorable Paul C. Menton, retired lawyer, judge, politician, FBI agent and Marine, closed his eyes and died at his Watertown home on Sunday, July 16, 2017 he was met by the beautiful smile of his Mary. It was a reunion that both looked forward to and knew would come.

After Paul and Mary were married the couple settled in Watertown and while Mary put her nursing career on hold Paul became an FBI agent, trained at Quantico, Virginia and assigned to the bureau's offices first in Kentucky and later in New York City. As their family started arriving Paul made the decision to leave the bureau and return home where he practiced law with his father and his brother, Tom, in Watertown.

Paul was born in Cambridge, a son of the late Patrick A. and Lucy A. (Comfort) Menton, and was raised in Watertown where he'd been a lifelong resident. While he was a lawyer all his life he also served for twelve years as a representative from Watertown in the Massachusetts legislature and after that became House counsel.

In 1986 he was appointed Associate Justice of the Cambridge District Court where he served until he turned 70. He also presided as a judge in various courts after having been recalled to the bench after his retirement.

Long active in town affairs Paul was as a member of Watertown's School Building Committee, Historical Commission, Fair Housing Committee and School Committee. He was also a longtime member of the Pvt. Charles Shutt Detachment of the Marine Corps League in Watertown.

He leaves his children P. Christopher Menton and his wife, Judy, of Bristol, Rhode Island, Robert F. Menton of Watertown, Jayne M. Irvine and her husband, Tom, of Falmouth, Brian D. Menton and his wife, Patricia, and Carol Ann Menton, all of Watertown; his grandchildren, Nathan Menton and his wife, Clare, Dina Booher and her husband, Brian, Ryan Menton, Alex Gorman, Christopher Irvine, Jessica Volmer and her husband, Scott, Matthew Menton and his wife, Angie, Patrick Menton and his wife, Becky and Timothy Menton and his wife, Rachael; his great-grandchildren, Hudson and Owen Volmer and Madelyn, Isabelle and Grace Menton and many nieces and nephews.

Paul was also a brother of the late James C., Thomas C. and John C. Menton.

Family and friends will honor and remember Judge Menton's life by gathering for calling hours in The Joyce Funeral Home, 245 Main Street (Rte. 20), Waltham on Friday, July 21st from 4 to 8 p.m. and again at 8 a.m. on Saturday morning before leaving in procession to Saint Patrick's Church, 212 Main Street, Watertown where his Funeral Mass will be celebrated at 9 a.m. Burial will be in Ridgelawn Cemetery, Watertown.

Memorial donations may be made to the New England Center and Home for Veterans, 17 Court Street, P.O. Box 845257, Boston, MA 02284.