Paul R. Jensen

Paul R. Jensen, 73, of Rindge, NH, passed away on Saturday, May 16, 2015, at his home in the company of his loving family, after a courageously fought battle with leukemia. Paul is survived by his devoted wife of 49 years, Victoria (Stadtmueller) Jensen; his two daughters, Sherry Dray and her husband Richard Dray, of Raynham, and Lisa Millea, of New Ipswich, NH; and five grandchildren, Jacob and Kylie Millea, and Georgia, John and Senior Airman Richard Dray. He is predeceased by his son-in-law, William Millea, and his parents, Dorothy (Kimball) Jensen and Carl E. Jensen, both of Malden, MA.

Paul was born in Stoneham, MA, and lived in New England all of his life. He grew up working on farms and dairies, and was a member of the FFA at Hudson High School, from which he graduated in 1960. He proudly served in the USMC from 1960-1966, graduating from boot camp on Parris Island, SC and stationed at the USNB in Key West, FL. A Lance Corporal, Paul served as a rifleman, and was awarded the Marksman Badge. He was highly regarded by his superior officers, and was selected for several security details for President J.F. Kennedy. Paul was also asked to accompany a fallen comrade home to his family, with whom he remained friendly for many years. During his time in Key West, Paul and his platoon participated as extras in the filming of the 1963 documentary, PT 109, though he would often joke that he never got to meet Cliff Robertson.

Following his discharge from the Marine Corps, Paul found work as a truck driver, and would often reminisce about his travels across the country. It was on one of these trips that his became smitten with a certain waitress at Johnny’s Truck Stop in Clinton, NJ. It was love at first sight--Paul and Victoria met in September and were married on November 27, 1965, in Wakefield, MA. They settled in Lancaster, MA, where they raised their two daughters. Paul found employment as a steel fabricator at Steel Fab, in Fitchburg, MA, in March 1973, and worked there until his retirement in January 2008.

Paul was an avid outdoorsman and particularly loved boating, hunting, and fishing. He always wanted to live on the water, and in 2009, he and Victoria moved to the perfect spot on a pond in Rindge, NH. The couple became very active in the community and developed many wonderful friendships. They became particularly fond of the First Congregational Church congregation and Reverend David Jadlocki. Paul joined the Rindge Veterans Association and especially enjoyed marching in the Memorial Day parade. After their retirement, he and Victoria spent the winters in Florida, but always looked forward to coming home to Rindge.

Paul was a humble man with a ready smile, always willing to lend a hand. He was a loyal and caring husband, father, and friend, and he will be greatly missed.

A celebration of Paul’s life will take place on Saturday, May 30, 2015, at the First Congregational Church, 6 Payson Hill Road, Rindge, NH, at 11 a.m. The family requests that in lieu of flowers, to please consider making a donation in Paul’s name to the Rindge Veterans Association, P.O. Box 723, Rindge, NH 03461-0723, or to Home Healthcare, Hospice & Community Services (http://www.hcsservices.org/ways-to-give/).