Paul Joseph Dobson

Paul Joseph Dobson, 66, of Hanover, MA passed away peacefully in his home, surrounded by friends and family on August 27, 2026.

Raised in North Weymouth, Paul was one of four children adopted by Teresa (Boisclaire) and Warren Dobson (both deceased). As a boy, he sang in the church choir. As a teen at 6' 3'', Paul was doggedly pursued by his high school basketball coach. He enjoyed a strong group of childhood, neighborhood buddies right up until his death. As kids, Dob, Simp, Colt, Cub, Murph and Frank were into hanging out in the pits, fast cars, the Frankenstein Hot Rod, motorcycles and cruising the Nantasket strip in their Starsky and Hutch car. And, because Paul had grown a beard by 15 years old, he bought the Miller High Life. Whenever he went to a friend's house, the parents would affectionately remark, "Here comes 50 questions!" Paul had a love of all things mechanical. He had to know how and why things worked or didn't... and his unending quest for knowledge never stopped.

Paul first met his friend and ultimate business partner, Bill Hodgson (deceased) at Massa Products in 1981. Bill was Paul's senior by 18 years, and Paul's need to understand fit perfectly with Bill's need to share his knowledge. Their friendship, shared interests in engineering and creating things, along with a great, mutual respect easily evolved into a lasting mentor/mentee, father/son relationship.

After Massa, Bill was introduced to a project to build a spring winding machine, and Paul and Bill spent the bulk of their time figuring and engineering a Winder. It was a high tech thing made out of low tech materials, created (with the enthusiastic participation of friends) in Paul's small apartment in Cohasset. They spent so much time there, Bill's young wife, Susan would tuck their daughter, Haidan, into a backpack, peek through the window and say, "That's your Daddy!" Paul had become a wonderful family friend. And Paul and Bill's medical device company, MicroSpring was soon born.

Paul and Bill would welcome a small handful of trusted friends and colleagues into their partnership over the years. Notably, George Fowle joined MicroSpring about 1985. In Paul's own words, "Friend. Colleague. Confidant. Co-Conspirator. Patient Teacher. Impatient Teacher. Mentor. The son he never had? The father mine was not! Through all the joys, success, failures and frustrations, I have no vision of my life without George in it... Who I am is vastly influenced by our relationship."

MicroSpring produced millions of spring components and guidewires used in medical procedures around the world. After MicroSpring, Paul co-founded Primus Medical where he co-invented a device to remove blood clots from the brain. He then re-acquired MicroSpring, renaming it Concert Medical. Paul’s entrepreneurial spirit provided jobs for a great many on the South Shore. Globally, millions have benefitted from medical treatments performed with guidewires made on MicroSpring's Winders. That original Winding Machine... a truly ingenious invention... hangs in Paul's Studio.

Paul first met Paula Joleen Doyle at the Red Lion Inn in Cohasset in 1987. The 1997 purchase of their home in Hanover is likely one of the last handshake real estate deals ever made. Before moving in, compelled by the need to get up to the loft without folding himself in half, Paul created a cardboard, paper towel roll, and toothpick model of what would become a semi-circular staircase nestled within the Turret that Simp built. Paul and Paula thoroughly enjoyed hosting large gatherings. There were skating parties in winter, and dinner parties and bonfires popped up with very little warning throughout the years. When they weren't entertaining, they were likely traveling. From Montreal to San Francisco and all up and down the East Coast, they followed the music, fine dining, and the Art and Antiques trails. Quite often, they would simply pick one of the four directions, find a back road, and head out to see what beckoned.

As was Paul's tendency, when he found someone with an interesting project, he selflessly and wholeheartedly supported their vision. Paul was Paula's staunchest advocate. When she decided to re-educate, Paul supported her journey starting with a few night classes all the way through achieving her master’s in education. In 2008, Paul entered into yet another partnership, this time with Paula. PJD2 Properties was formed and The Elements Montessori School was born. Paul often expressed deep satisfaction for his part in the creation of Elements. He was most pleased to have been a major contributor in an organization whose mission was attaining World Peace, One Child at a Time.

Throughout his life, Paul had an overt, enduring passion for music. It moved him. It brought him to a happy, peaceful place. He would take his seat between his Bose speakers with eyes closed. And listen. And smile. He surrounded himself with record albums, vintage guitars, microphones, speakers and musicians. He had always dreamed of creating an artist's loft where people could come and play and record. And then, he acquired a sound board, and "Studio K" was born. There were always musicians in the yard. Paul hosted an endless stream of local, seasoned players while, in true Dob fashion, he also welcomed and supported the younger, up and coming talent. First Timers were awestruck, and there was constant chatter about the good vibes in Paul’s Studio.

Paul began a Corporate Art Collection in the early days of MicroSpring, with a dream of one day owning a Gallery. With the acquisition of Silver Street, the quest for high quality lighting fixtures propelled him into a whole new dimension of collecting. Paul and Paula were among those who turned the noun, "antique" into a verb. They had become well known as the Hippie Dippy couple, perusing the shops and regularly attending antique shows, auctions and events. Within a short period of time, Paul had filled the living room to overflowing with fine, vintage lamps and decorative lighting. At last count, there were 37 lamps, but you still couldn't read a book at night. Friendships within the industry led to collaborations and in 2015, Paul became proprietor of the Sandwich Antiques Center. Soon after, he entered into yet another partnership, this time with The Brother and Roxann. It is with enthusiasm and honor that Paula's brother, Alex “Butch” Epick, along with Roxann Diaz, continue to preserve Paul’s legacy at his beloved Antiques Gallery.

Paul Joseph Dobson was a remarkable man who achieved remarkable things… all the while in relentless pursuit of Peace. Rest now, Paul. May you forever rest in loving Peace…

Paul is survived by his sister, Lori (Dobson) Quinn, of Florida, his brother, William Dobson of Thailand, Bill's wife Suphinya and nephews Sutawat Alan and Surachai Tony, and predeceased by Bill’s son, Surasak Billy. Paul was predeceased by his sister, Kathleen (Dobson) Folsom of Plymouth, and leaves behind his nephew, Henry Folsom and his two children, Lily and Jay folsom of Plymouth, and his nephew Thomas Folsom of Hanover.

Kindly email your photos of Paul for a slideshow to: HaidanHodgson@gmail.com

In lieu of flowers, remembrances in Paul Joseph Dobson’s name may be made to Playing for Change, an organization that brings people together, through music, in the name of Peace: www.PlayingForChange.org

Paul's ashes will be scattered at sea on Saturday, October 17, 2026. Space is limited. If you would like to attend, kindly email Paula for details and availability: paulajoleen1bay2@gmail.com

Appropriately, we will be celebrating Paul's life with a Bonfire at his home in Hanover on Sunday, October 18th, 2026 from 5:00 pm - 10:00 pm. All are welcome to attend the Dobfire. Be sure to bring your stories!