Paul Francis Chiampa Sr., 77, of Pembroke, Massachusetts, passed away peacefully on August 6, 2024, surrounded by his loving family. Paul was born to Dr. Francis P. and Margaret L. "Peg" (Fitzgerald) Chiampa on October 25, 1946, and was raised in Newton, Massachusetts.

In his youth, Paul excelled in sports at Boston College High School, graduating in the class of 1964. He continued his athletics in college, playing football, hockey and lacrosse at Boston University and Boston State College, though football was always his passion. Paul played guard for the Lowell/Quincy Giants (former minor league affiliate of the Boston Patriots) in 1968 and

1969. After years of football took its toll on his body, Paul maintained his competitive spirit as a player-coach for championship winning teams in the cutthroat City of Newton Men's Softball League.

After his playing days, Paul coached football at Boston State College and then Curry College. As he approached age 30 and started to settle down, Paul transitioned into a more traditional career in retail store management for about 10 years. In 1990, he furthered his education at Babson College, earning an MBA that propelled him into a successful career in finance.

Paul met the love of his life, Joan Karen Fuchs, in 1973 after she moved next door to him in Cleveland Circle. They were married in Joan's hometown of Malverne, New York on June 16,1979, and would enjoy forty-five fulfilling years of marriage. In 1987, they moved to Pembroke to raise their family in an abundance of nature.

Paul's greatest joy in life was his family. He instilled in his children a love for learning, teaching them to play chess with a firm belief that victories were to be earned. His support was unwavering, attending (and often coaching) every event his children participated in and balancing his role as their biggest fan with that of their most honest critic. Regardless, he was always so proud.  Paul cherished being Papa to his three grandchildren.  He loved his cherubs, and they kept him vibrant during his final days.

A constant throughout his life was exercise. Whether it was weightlifting, running, or swimming, he would push his body to the limits of its boundaries. He ran several marathons and was an avid runner into his 50s, often traversing multiple South Shore towns in a single night's jog. Running transitioned to swimming later in life, and he was often found doing the backstroke across Little Sandy Pond on summer evenings.

When serious health issues limited his physical abilities, Paul extended the exercise to his mind. He was an avid reader, particularly history and unique non-fiction stories. He participated in multiple book clubs which he would join from the hospital remotely to discuss the book that he had chosen. He was teaching himself Italian and Spanish and practicing previously learned German until his last days.

Paul lived to bring laughter and joy to everyone around him, living by a mantra of trying to make someone smile every day. He had a trove of stories and jokes that he would deploy at every opportunity with the hope that anyone listening would be amused. He lived life like no one was watching (sometimes to the embarrassment of his family) and would always remind them that Eleanor Roosevelt once said, "no one can make you feel inferior without your consent."

Paul's enduring humor, wisdom, and love will forever echo in the hearts of those who knew him. Though we will miss him dearly, his memory will continue to bring a smile to all who remember him. He will be fondly remembered as someone who made this world a brighter place.

Paul is survived by his wife, Joan; his three children, Meghan M. Chiampa, Yvonne J. McGurl and her husband Marc of Norwell, and Paul F. Chiampa Jr. and his wife Katherine of Milton; his brother, David M. Chiampa and his wife Mary Ann of Shrewsbury; as well as his three cherished grandchildren, Ella, Michael, and Maxwell. He was predeceased by his parents as well as his siblings, Eleanor M. Fuller, Richard G. Chiampa, and Francis P. Chiampa Jr.

Visiting Hours will be Tuesday, August 13th from 4:00-7:00 PM at McNamara-Sparrell Funeral Home in Norwell Center, MA. A funeral Mass will be held on Wednesday, August 14th at 10:00 AM at Our Lady of the Angels Parish, 392 Hanover Street, Hanover, MA.  There will be a private burial with immediate family only at Oak Ridge Cemetery in South Dennis.