Paul F.X. Powers

Waltham – Mr. Paul F.X. Powers, a resident of Waltham since 1951, passed away on March 3. He was predeceased by his beloved wife, Mary Elizabeth "Betty" (Stout) Powers, who died on February 13, 2009. He is survived by his daughter, Christine A. Powers, also of Waltham. He was 91.

Paul was born on March 31, 1917, and raised in Worcester, Massachusetts, the son of the late James and Josephine Powers, who immigrated from Waterford and Roscommon counties (respectively) in Ireland and met in Worcester. Paul was the youngest of their three sons. His brothers Edmund and James predeceased him. Paul attended Saint John's High School, where he took pride in learning Latin and Greek. He then attended the College of the Holy Cross, from which he graduated in 1938. During his college years, he worked in the library to pay his tuition. After graduating, he continued to work at the Holy Cross library until he enlisted in the Army during World War II. In the military, he served in the United States, England and finally Germany. Upon his discharge from the Army, he chose to remain in Germany as part of the Office of Military Government. It was there that he met his wife, Betty, who was also working in the same capacity. They were married in Berlin on April 24, 1948. During their wedding trip, they visited Holland in the spring tulip season.

Paul and Betty returned to the United States later in 1948. He then resumed his legal studies at Northeastern University. In the 1960s, Paul was chosen by Attorney General Edward W. Brooke to become an assistant attorney general. When Mr. Brooke became a U.S. senator, Paul continued to serve under his successor, Eliot Richardson. After Mr. Richardson's departure for a cabinet post, Paul resumed his private law practice in Boston.

Paul will be remembered by many people in the Waltham community which he served so faithfully. He was a city councilor for 16 years, beginning in 1957. He was a past chairman of the Waltham Republican City Committee. For more than 30 years, he served as a member of the board of trustees of the Waltham Public Library.

He was also an avid gardener, and taught his daughter to love gardening. The garden was where they always found common ground, despite their lively political discussions. He would bring a rose from his garden to his wife every day.

Paul is also survived by his niece, Kathleen Powers, of Worcester, and his nephew, Kevin Powers of Colorado.

Family and friends will honor and remember Paul's life by gathering for calling hours on Sunday from 2 to 4 p.m. in The Joyce Funeral Home, 245 Main Street (Rte. 20), Waltham and again at 9 a.m. on Monday morning before leaving in procession to Saint Mary's Church, 133 School Steet, Waltham where his Funeral Mass will be celebrated at 10 a.m. Burial will follow in Mount Feake Cemetery, Waltham.