Obituary for Paul Carter Duncan
Paul Duncan passed away peacefully on February 5, 2022, at his home in Underhill VT. For all who knew him, his greatest joy in life was family, including his five children and their spouses, seventeen grandchildren, and two great-grandchildren. He also cherished his friends both old and new, helping others, sailing, baseball, and tennis.
Paul was born on August 3, 1936, in Waban MA to Christopher James Duncan MD and Virginia Irene (Costello) Duncan. Paul had four siblings: Christopher Duncan of Tucson AZ (deceased), Clark Duncan of Andover MA, Lee Duncan of Gilford NH, and Joan (Duncan) Loring of Southborough MA.
As a boy, Paul enjoyed causing trouble on the ball fields of Waban, even getting hitting lessons from the great Ted Williams (who also helped him explain a broken window to an angry neighbor from a well hit ball). Paul also enjoyed time sailing and playing tennis in North Falmouth MA, where he met his lifelong best friend and spouse of sixty-one years Joan (Colon) Duncan at the age of seven.
Paul graduated Portsmouth Abbey School in Portsmouth RI and went on to attend Georgetown University where he enjoyed hosting his own radio show. Paul left Georgetown to serve in the US Army in the late 1950’s where he was stationed in Germany. After returning from Germany, he attended and graduated from Boston College in Chestnut Hill MA.
Paul and Joan were married on December 28, 1960, and had five children. Frank Duncan and Fjola (Proppe) Duncan of Needham MA, Paige (Duncan) Manning and Emmet Manning of Underhill VT, Anne (Duncan) Rogan and John Rogan of Foxboro MA, James Duncan and Alicia (Vincent) Duncan of Kennett Square PA, and Edith (Duncan) Story and Scott Story of Williston VT.
Paul was active in his community in a number of official capacities including past President of the Newton Needham Chamber of Commerce, and Troop Leader of Boy Scout Troop 1 in Dover MA.
Paul also loved to help others. It did not matter if someone had a big or little project, he was always ready to lend a hand. He loved to build things, connect people, provide advice or encouragement, and supervise.
Paul was a lifelong employee of New England Telephone (now Verizon) beginning his career in St. Albans VT, and working in locations including Nashua NH, Worcester MA, and Boston MA. He retired from what was then NYNEX working in New York City. Paul enjoyed working and being with his friends post retirement at Vita Needle in Needham MA.
Over the years Paul and Joan resided in Newton MA, St Albans VT, Nashua NH, Worcester MA, Dover MA, Petersham MA, Boston MA, Scituate MA, and Underhill VT.
There will be a private service for Paul in the summer of 2022 to celebrate a life well lived and a beautiful legacy.
Donations in Paul’s name can be made to:
Community Boating
A wonderful organization in Boston helping people of all ages and income levels learn to sail
https://portal.community-boating.org/donate
The American Heart Association
https://www.heart.org/?form=FUNUSPGVDBJ&s_src=20U2W1EEMT&s_subsrc=main_nav_honor_link
Paul was born on August 3, 1936, in Waban MA to Christopher James Duncan MD and Virginia Irene (Costello) Duncan. Paul had four siblings: Christopher Duncan of Tucson AZ (deceased), Clark Duncan of Andover MA, Lee Duncan of Gilford NH, and Joan (Duncan) Loring of Southborough MA.
As a boy, Paul enjoyed causing trouble on the ball fields of Waban, even getting hitting lessons from the great Ted Williams (who also helped him explain a broken window to an angry neighbor from a well hit ball). Paul also enjoyed time sailing and playing tennis in North Falmouth MA, where he met his lifelong best friend and spouse of sixty-one years Joan (Colon) Duncan at the age of seven.
Paul graduated Portsmouth Abbey School in Portsmouth RI and went on to attend Georgetown University where he enjoyed hosting his own radio show. Paul left Georgetown to serve in the US Army in the late 1950’s where he was stationed in Germany. After returning from Germany, he attended and graduated from Boston College in Chestnut Hill MA.
Paul and Joan were married on December 28, 1960, and had five children. Frank Duncan and Fjola (Proppe) Duncan of Needham MA, Paige (Duncan) Manning and Emmet Manning of Underhill VT, Anne (Duncan) Rogan and John Rogan of Foxboro MA, James Duncan and Alicia (Vincent) Duncan of Kennett Square PA, and Edith (Duncan) Story and Scott Story of Williston VT.
Paul was active in his community in a number of official capacities including past President of the Newton Needham Chamber of Commerce, and Troop Leader of Boy Scout Troop 1 in Dover MA.
Paul also loved to help others. It did not matter if someone had a big or little project, he was always ready to lend a hand. He loved to build things, connect people, provide advice or encouragement, and supervise.
Paul was a lifelong employee of New England Telephone (now Verizon) beginning his career in St. Albans VT, and working in locations including Nashua NH, Worcester MA, and Boston MA. He retired from what was then NYNEX working in New York City. Paul enjoyed working and being with his friends post retirement at Vita Needle in Needham MA.
Over the years Paul and Joan resided in Newton MA, St Albans VT, Nashua NH, Worcester MA, Dover MA, Petersham MA, Boston MA, Scituate MA, and Underhill VT.
There will be a private service for Paul in the summer of 2022 to celebrate a life well lived and a beautiful legacy.
Donations in Paul’s name can be made to:
Community Boating
A wonderful organization in Boston helping people of all ages and income levels learn to sail
https://portal.community-boating.org/donate
The American Heart Association
https://www.heart.org/?form=FUNUSPGVDBJ&s_src=20U2W1EEMT&s_subsrc=main_nav_honor_link