Paul was born in Norwich, CT and grew up with younger brothers Robert and Jim, in Salem, IL. In high school he drove athletes to the different sporting events or would ride with them when transported by bus. In their junior year he went with the band to Washington, D.C. He sat with Pat and this was the start of their romance which led to a marriage of 48 years. Pat and Paul graduated as co-valedictorians of their senior class and went on to Northwestern University, Paul as a chemical engineering major and Pat as a music major. They were married in 1958 and lived in a small attic apartment until Paul completed his 5 year engineering program in 1961. Pat barely finished her first year of teaching when son, Michael was born.

Upon graduation Paul worked for the Mobil Oil Company in St. Louis. As he found he didn't like the work, they returned to Chicago where he worked for Continental Can Company (later called Crown, Cork and Seal), until his retirement in 1994. He was a research scientist working to invent new products like an easy-open/flip-top beverage can.

Paul was diagnosed with asthma in 1978 and in retirement moved to Westbrook Village, AZ. The dry heat renewed his health and he was able to enjoy 18 holes of golf two or three times a week as well as a passion for travel and fishing trips to Wisconsin cabin owned by some long-time friends. He also was the president of the Northwestern Alumni Club of Sun Cities for several years, chairman of his and Pat's 50th high school class reunion, and was chairman of the Torrey Pines Christmas Decorating Committee, which had not been completed when he died of an aneurysm.

Paul is survived by his wife, Pat; son Michael, and his family: Sue, Amanda, Sean, Tommy, and Nicole; his brothers, four cousins, three nieces and two nephews.