Paul A. Naughton

As an accomplished historian the irony would not be lost on Paul Naughton that the day that he came into the world was the thirteenth anniversary of the day that America was thrust into World War II and the day that he left was the fifty-fifth anniversary of when his mother's most beloved president was assassinated in Dallas. It was also Thanksgiving.

For a very quiet guy he made the dates of his entrance and his exit quite memorable. The Irish good-bye came after a short period of declining health when Paul A. Naughton, a lifelong resident of Waltham, died Thursday, November 22, 2018 at Mount Auburn Hospital in Cambridge. He was 63.

He will long be remembered as a devoted friend, a patron of the arts, a thoughtful, kind and generous man and loyal to a fault. He was possessed of an inquisitive mind and a strong sense of duty.

Paul was born in Waltham, along with his twin brother, Dennis, on December 7, 1954 to the late Edward O. 'Ozzie' and Mary M. (Mulcahy) Naughton. He grew up with his large family in Chesterbrook Gardens and after graduating from Waltham High School in 1972 he went on to Massachusetts College of Art where he earned his bachelor's degree.

For thirty-nine years he owned and operated Boston Tours where he made a lifetime of friends. Paul knew the back roads and the main streets of Greater Boston and knew the nuances of history and geography that made his tours interesting and fun.

He was a longtime member of Boston's Museum of Fine Arts and always enjoyed his passion for pen and pencil sketching.

He leaves his sisters and brother, Ann Naughton of Salem, Mary Cacciatore (Joseph) of Waltham, Marla Naughton of Shirley and Dennis Naughton of Albany, Vermont; his sister-in-law, Karen Mason Naughton of Westwood; his aunt Eilene Blanchard and many friends, nieces, nephews, cousins and their families.

Paul was also a brother of the late Robert Naughton.

Family and friends will honor and remember Paul's life by gathering for calling hours in The Joyce Funeral Home, 245 Main Street (Rte. 20), Waltham on Wednesday, November 28th from 4 to 8 p.m. Burial will be private.

Memorial donations may be made to the St. Vincent dePaul Society, c/o Our Lady Comforter of the Afflicted Church, 920-R Trapelo Road, Waltham, MA 02452.