Paul was born in Boston, Massachusetts on February 6, 1927, to the late Patrick John Ballantine and Helen (Egan) Ballantine of Roscommon, Ireland and Boston, Massachusetts, respectfully.
Paul is survived by his daughter Karol’s life-partner, Eric Ewing, and their children, Konnor and Kirsten Ewing of Ojai, California; Susan and Dudley Hall of Norfolk, Massachusetts and Susan’s children, Kevin Mistler, Lucas and Allie Mistler, Candace and Craig Legge, and Colleen Mistler, and stepson D.J. Hall; Paula and Mark Waller of Yokosuka, Japan and their children, Kathleen Waller, Abigail [Waller] [and Joshua Kotler], and Devin Waller; and Paul’s four great-grandchildren, Isabella and Amelia Mistler and Braxton and Vienna Legge.
He was preceded in death by his beloved wife of 65 years, Doris Mary (Terrio) Ballantine, two daughters, Karol and Karen Ballantine, and his four siblings, Lawrence Ballantine, John Ballantine, Helene Sebring and Constance Ballantine.
Following a promising freshman year on the Boston College football team, Paul answered his nation’s call to service and enlisted in the U.S. Army as World War II raged throughout the globe. Enticed by the extra $10 pay per month, Paul volunteered for the elite U.S. Army Airborne Corps. He completed jump school at Fort Benning, Georgia and was assigned to the 82nd Airborne as an armorer in 1943. Paul’s unit deployed to Germany via a Liberty Ship to participate in the final days of the European conflict and post-war occupation duties. With demobilization, he mustered out of the Army and used his GI Bill benefits to complete his college education at Fitchburg State University.
While working as a Veteran’s Affairs (VA) therapist in Brockton, Massachusetts, Paul recognized the charms and grace of Doris, an administrative assistant at the VA. Paul and Doris soon wed in Wellesley’s St. James Catholic Church, built a house in the growing suburban community of Westwood, Massachusetts and settled down to raise a family. Paul worked tirelessly at several jobs to support his growing family, becoming “Mr. B” to many as a Needham School’s industrial arts teacher and coach while building houses, repairing roofs and plowing roads. His passion for his students was demonstrated when he spearheaded the establishment of the Blue Hills Vocational Center. Paul contributed to every parish he attended; usher, lector, Extraordinary Minister of the Eucharist, whatever was needed. His service for the community became legendary, through the Knights of Columbus, the American Legion, and the use of his many talents to help anyone in need. Paul did it all with his infectious smile and famous quick wit.
Paul cherished sharing his and Doris’s love with their expanding family and friends in Westwood and West Harwich, Massachusetts, the Dominican Republic and in Bradenton, Florida. They especially reveled in the experiences of their grandchildren and great-grandchildren. But Paul was not one to sit around, as he and Doris loved to travel and take in all that the world had to offer, including renewing their wedding vows while in Cana. Paul remained active throughout his life, tirelessly supporting worthy causes such as Cape Cod’s Family Pantry and Elks Club activities and fundraisers in Bradenton. He spent his final years on his beloved Cape Cod with his devoted wife, Doris, until she passed in 2022.
Services will be held at 10:00 am, Thursday, May 16, 2024, at Holy Trinity Catholic Church, 246 Main Street, West Harwich, Massachusetts, 02671 with a reception to follow at the Pelham House Resort, 14 Sea Street, Dennis Port, Massachusetts.
In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made in memory of Paul Ballantine to either the Red Sox Foundation’s Run to Home Base - www.runtohomebase.org or the Disabled Veterans of America - www.dav.org
