Under the watchful eye of “Ma” Adams, his favorite staffer, Paul has fond memories of the noise and all the constant activity at the Club. When he was not in the pool or the gym, Paul remembers the boxing program under Mario Rucci. “How he handled so many kids at time amazed me. Our sons Matthew and Mark both learned boxing from Mario and participated in the Boys Club Golden Gloves Program. It gave them self-confidence and gave me satisfaction and enjoyment to attend the bouts.”
Following his graduation from South High School, Paul began his studies at Holy Cross College. He enlisted in the Marine Corps in February of 1942. While trained with the 4th Marine Division as a sergeant, he was selected for Officer Candidate School, and served in WWII until 1945. Upon his return to civilian life, Paul attended Boston College Law School. He was recalled to active duty in July 1950, serving as a rifle platoon leader in the Korean War. “The traits and character the Boys Club sought to instill in youth served me well during my six years in the Marines in WWII and the Korean War.”
Appointed a District Court Judge in 1978 by Governor Michael Dukakis, Paul was also called to sit in on the Superior Court in Worcester, Middlesex, Essex and Suffolk Counties. Paul has been a member of the Worcester County Bar Association for over 50 years. He has also served eight years on the Worcester City Council and was Worcester’s mayor from 1963-1965. Paul and his wife Sarah live in Worcester, and have nine children and nineteen grandchildren.