1944
Paul
2012
Paul K. Hirst
July 15, 1944 — July 7, 2012
STERLING – Paul K. Hirst, 67, passed away at home surrounded by his loving family on Saturday, July 7, 2012 after an illness.
He leaves his wife of 44 years, Joan M. (Woodman) Hirst; a son, Keith R. Hirst and his wife Alison of Winfield, IL; a daughter, Karen J. Spaleta and her husband Jeffrey of Fairbanks, AK; his mother, Mildred M. Hirst of Leominster, MA, three brothers, Carl Hirst and his wife Judy of Aiken, SC; Brian Hirst and his wife Rosemary of Sutton, MA; and Warren Hirst and his wife Catherine of Somerville, MA; a sister, Beverly DeCook of Seattle, WA; a grandson, Taylor Hirst; many nephews, nieces, two grand nephews and two grand nieces. He is predeceased by his father, Howard L. Hirst.
Paul was born in Bridgeport, CT, the son of Howard L. and Mildred (Batchelder) Hirst and lived in Sterling intermittently for over 45 years. He graduated from Wachusett Regional High School in 1962, earned a B.S. degree in horticulture from the University of Rhode Island in 1967 and an M.B.A. from Northeastern University in 1977. He served his country with the U.S. Marine Corps from 1967 to 1973.
Paul retired from Sears as a lawn and garden technician in 2009. He previously worked as a landscaper, a Scout Executive for the Nashua Valley and Monadnock Councils BSA, and as a CPR/First Aid instructor with the Worcester Chapter of the American Red Cross.
Paul was an active member of Epworth United Methodist Church, where he served on many committees and was a long time Sunday school teacher. He was active in the community, serving on the Sterling Council on Aging; as a board member for the Worcester County and State Associations of the American Lung Association; past commander of American Legion Post 189, Sterling; Past Master of Mount Horeb Lodge AF&AM, Woburn, MA and was a member of the Scottish Rite Boston and Worcester Valleys and the York Rite Mystic Valley Chapters.
Paul was an advisory board member of Holden Assembly #85, International Order of the Rainbow for Girls, and was recognized with the Grand Cross of Color for his service. Paul served as a boy scout leader for Sterling Troop 1 and Sterling Troop 189, and was the chartered representative for 25 years for Troop 189 from American Legion Post 189.
Relatives and friends are invited to attend calling hours from 5 to 8 p.m. with an open Masonic Service at 7:30 p.m. on Wednesday, July 11, in Miles-Sterling Funeral Home and Tribute Center, 100 Worcester Road (Rte. 12), Sterling. A memorial service for Paul will be held on Thursday, July 12, at 11:00 AM in Epworth United Methodist Church, 64 Salisbury Street, Worcester, MA 01609. A committal service will be held at a later date. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to the Epworth United Methodist Church Memorial Fund, or Mount Horeb Lodge Memorial Fund, Attn: Secretary, 45 Sylvanus Wood Lane, Woburn, MA 01801-3852.
To share a memory or offer an on-line condolence, visit: www.milesfuneralhome.com
He leaves his wife of 44 years, Joan M. (Woodman) Hirst; a son, Keith R. Hirst and his wife Alison of Winfield, IL; a daughter, Karen J. Spaleta and her husband Jeffrey of Fairbanks, AK; his mother, Mildred M. Hirst of Leominster, MA, three brothers, Carl Hirst and his wife Judy of Aiken, SC; Brian Hirst and his wife Rosemary of Sutton, MA; and Warren Hirst and his wife Catherine of Somerville, MA; a sister, Beverly DeCook of Seattle, WA; a grandson, Taylor Hirst; many nephews, nieces, two grand nephews and two grand nieces. He is predeceased by his father, Howard L. Hirst.
Paul was born in Bridgeport, CT, the son of Howard L. and Mildred (Batchelder) Hirst and lived in Sterling intermittently for over 45 years. He graduated from Wachusett Regional High School in 1962, earned a B.S. degree in horticulture from the University of Rhode Island in 1967 and an M.B.A. from Northeastern University in 1977. He served his country with the U.S. Marine Corps from 1967 to 1973.
Paul retired from Sears as a lawn and garden technician in 2009. He previously worked as a landscaper, a Scout Executive for the Nashua Valley and Monadnock Councils BSA, and as a CPR/First Aid instructor with the Worcester Chapter of the American Red Cross.
Paul was an active member of Epworth United Methodist Church, where he served on many committees and was a long time Sunday school teacher. He was active in the community, serving on the Sterling Council on Aging; as a board member for the Worcester County and State Associations of the American Lung Association; past commander of American Legion Post 189, Sterling; Past Master of Mount Horeb Lodge AF&AM, Woburn, MA and was a member of the Scottish Rite Boston and Worcester Valleys and the York Rite Mystic Valley Chapters.
Paul was an advisory board member of Holden Assembly #85, International Order of the Rainbow for Girls, and was recognized with the Grand Cross of Color for his service. Paul served as a boy scout leader for Sterling Troop 1 and Sterling Troop 189, and was the chartered representative for 25 years for Troop 189 from American Legion Post 189.
Relatives and friends are invited to attend calling hours from 5 to 8 p.m. with an open Masonic Service at 7:30 p.m. on Wednesday, July 11, in Miles-Sterling Funeral Home and Tribute Center, 100 Worcester Road (Rte. 12), Sterling. A memorial service for Paul will be held on Thursday, July 12, at 11:00 AM in Epworth United Methodist Church, 64 Salisbury Street, Worcester, MA 01609. A committal service will be held at a later date. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to the Epworth United Methodist Church Memorial Fund, or Mount Horeb Lodge Memorial Fund, Attn: Secretary, 45 Sylvanus Wood Lane, Woburn, MA 01801-3852.
To share a memory or offer an on-line condolence, visit: www.milesfuneralhome.com
To order memorial trees or send flowers to the family in memory of Paul K. Hirst, please visit our flower store.
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