Paul Francis Woodberry

The most meaningful things in his life were his religion, his family, his military service, and his business career. Paul was a faithful Catholic. He also respected the importance of other Christian religions, Judaism, and non-Christian religions. He believed in God and in life after death. He believed that God caused the creation of our universe through the Big Bang 13.8 billion years ago, the creation of our planet earth 4.5 billion years ago, and the creation of intelligent human beings about 60,000 or more years ago.

Paul and his wife, Margery Ann Brennan (“Sandy”), were married in Arlington, Massachusetts on May 7, 1955. Paul was devoted to his wonderful wife Sandy. She was the most important person in his life, and an inspirational mother. They were very happily married for 57 years. They were very pleased with their 5 children, their spouses, and their 15 grandchildren. In September 2021, Paul was delighted with the birth of a great granddaughter.

Paul graduated from Boston Latin School in 1945. He graduated from Dartmouth College in 1949, and received an MBA from Dartmouth in 1950. When the Korean War started on June 25, 1950, Paul volunteered for the United States Air Force. He completed flight training, and was commissioned as a Second Lieutenant and Navigator. He flew in B-26 bombers on 55 combat missions over North Korea in 1952 and 1953. Last May, he was profiled as a local veteran in the Brunswick News which featured stories from his service in Korea.

From 1955 to 2012, he was a business executive with W.R. Grace & Co., Alleghany Corporation, Centex Corporation, and BFE Corporation, and a director of many other companies. His business career was based on dedication, hard work, getting things done, being a team player, and persistence.

Paul was predeceased by his wife Sandy, their daughter Laura Woodberry Jessiman, his sister Nancy Woodberry Sherman, and his parents Ronald Sturgis Woodberry and Elsie Eugenie Woodberry.

Paul is survived by his son Seth and his wife Jenna Woodberry of Dallas, TX, his daughter Lesley and her husband Mark Robinson of Washington, D.C., his son Sturgis and his wife Carolyn Woodberry of Darien, CT, his daughter Sarah Woodberry of Darien, CT, his son-in-law Alistair Jessiman of Chevy Chase, MD, his brother Robert and his wife Marlinda Woodberry of Walnut Creek, CA, and his sister Marie Roberts of Lexington, MA.

Paul is also survived by his grandchildren, Hugh and his wife Cassie Jessiman, Andrew and his wife Kate Jessiman, and Margaret Jessiman, Haley, Matthew, Emma, Margaret and Abigail Woodberry, Austen, Gordon, Malcolm and Gwen Robinson, and Paul, CJ, and Elizabeth Woodberry—as well as one great granddaughter, Laura Lily Jessiman.

A private Funeral Mass and memorial will be celebrated by the family. Paul will be buried beside the graves of his wife Sandy and their daughter Laura Jessiman at Spring Grove Cemetery in Darien, CT. The family respectfully requests no flowers.

Edo Miller and Sons is in charge of the arrangements. You may sign the register book and leave condolences for the family at www.edomillerandsons.com