Paul A. Naiman, age 73, of Marion, died peacefully at home January 24, 2024 after a sudden and devastating recurrence of cancer that had been in remission two months before. He was the loving husband of Sandra G. Smith, to whom he was married happily for over 47 years.
Born in Boston, son of the late Melvin S. and Rita (Quitt) Naiman, he grew up in Newton. After earning a Bachelor’s degree at UMass Amherst, he was living in Winchester when he met his lifelong love, Sandy. They lived in Gloucester, Rockport, and Lakeville before finding home in seaside Marion, MA. Over a 37 year career in the food industry, he led marketing across diverse products, from fish sticks to cranberry juice to chocolate fudge. Job changes saw the family move to California, Nebraska, Illinois, and Georgia before finally retiring home to Marion again.
Paul was a compassionate and caring person who was deeply involved with his family and community. For his sons, he coached baseball, shared his love of music and hobbies like sailing and woodworking, and was a creative and adventurous chef. In retirement, he volunteered in and around Marion supporting elderly services, town committees, the food pantry, and the Buzzards Bay Coalition. Over the past three years, he was overjoyed to entertain his two grandsons with crafts and bedtime stories. He most of all loved being on and around the ocean, by himself or with his family.
Survivors include his wife, son Alexander and his wife Lena Ireland of Hingham, MA, son Zachary and his wife Kelsey Shea of Barrington, RI, sister Doris and her husband Mark Shapiro of Wilbraham, MA, brother Daniel and his wife Judy LaKind of Catonsville, MD, sister Janice of Maynard, MA, grandsons Milo and Connor, nephews Jesse and Josh, and numerous and widespread cousins and friends.
A memorial service will be held for friends and family, by the bay that he loved, at a later date.
In lieu of flowers, donations in Paul’s memory can be made to the Dana-Farber Cancer Institute or Brigham and Women’s Hospital. Arrangements are by the Saunders-Dwyer Mattapoisett Home for Funerals, 50 County Rd., Mattapoisett. For online condolence book, please visit www.saundersdwyer.com.
