Paul P. Fuhs Jr., of Rockport, husband of Mary A. (Curcuru) Fuhs passed away peacefully with his family by his side on Friday evening, January 19, 2019 at the Addison Gilbert Hospital. He was born in Gloucester on February 17, 1933, son of the late Paul P. Fuhs Sr. and Pauline (Marchant) Medland. He grew up in Lanesville, living with his grandparents, Mary and Herman Marchant, and his aunt, Eleanor Marchant, while his mother worked in Boston.
As a boy, Plum Cove, Dogtown, and the quarries provided endless adventures for him. He loved to sit by grandfather Herm’s lobster/fish shack at Lanes Cove listening to stories of Gloucester and the Maritimes. At 14 he moved to Malden, where he attended Malden Technical.
Working on engines and restoring antique cars became a lifelong passion. He attended Wentworth Institute and worked at John Hancock in Boston before serving in the United States Army. He was stationed in Korea and then as an MP in Japan in the 50’s.
After his duty he became an apprentice union carpenter. He later moved to Bay View and worked for several local contractors building homes in Gloucester. In the early 60’s he became a self-employed building contractor.
Several times he was involved in commercial construction projects, but building and remodeling private homes offered him control over quality and craftsmanship. He was proud to have taught and mentored the numerous young men he employed over 60 years. Paul was contractor and builder of over 30 private homes throughout Cape Ann.
After living in Boxford for six years, Paul and his family moved to Rockport. Paul served as Rockport Town Assessor for over 35 years. He was active in the Rockport Rotary Club.
In earlier years was President of the Gloucester Kiwanis Club. A boat-lover, Paul was a member of the Sandy Bay Yacht Club for many years. He first learned to love boats rowing his grandfather’s heavy wooden dory out of Lane’s Cove.
He boated every summer he lived in Gloucester and Rockport, often going on trips around New England. He will be greatly missed by all who knew him. He is survived by his wife of 24 years, Mary; daughters, Susan Barraclough and her husband Scott and their son, Elliott, of Gloucester, Sandra Fuhs, of Atkinson, NH; sons, Richard Fuhs of Virginia Beach, VA and Paul ‘Greg’ Fuhs of FL,and his daughter, Dawn Hourican; sister, Janis Merritt of Saugus, and niece, Loralee Wood and her son, Tyler Wilson of Saugus.
Paul is also survived by his step-children, Lael Cook and her husband Greg and their sons Ted and Oliver of Hamilton, Thomas Dietrich and his daughter, Deanna of Florida, Lissa Dietrich and her partner Sissy O’Callaghan of Bonita Springs, Florida, and also his late son Jeff’s daughter, Jenny Esdale and Jeff’s wife Cher and her son, Adam. Also, step-children William Belanger, Dawn Bammarito and her husband Tom and their sons, Tom and Matthew, Michael Belanger and his wife Tonia and their children, Ryan, Chad and Rachel, Gary Belanger and his wife Robin and her daughter, Jamie all of Gloucester. He was predeceased by his parents; his step-father, Harlowe Medland, whom he considered his real father; his grandfather and grandmother; beloved Second mother, “Auntie” Eleanor; granddaughter, Jaqueline Fuhs and step-son, Jeffrey Dietrich.
His funeral service will be held at the First Congregational Church, 12 School Street, Rockport on Thursday, January 24th 11:00 a.m. A visitation will be held prior to the service in the First Congregational Church from 10:00 a.m. to 11:00 a.m. Relatives and friends are cordially invited to attend. The burial will be held privately. In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made in Paul’s name to the ALS Association at alsa.org in memory of Jeff.
Arrangements by the Greely Funeral Home, 212 Washington Street, Gloucester. For online condolences, please visit www. greelyfuneralhome.com.
If you found any mistakes, or you would like to add/remove to this obituary, please contact us by email: info@obituary.memorial. We never ask money for this.
