Paul Newby Grace, 70, of Mattapoisett passed away unexpectedly on Tuesday, February 4, 2025.
Known affectionately by everyone as Newby, Paul Grace was an excellent musician and performed professionally throughout the region. He began playing keyboards at an early age, becoming a soulful keyboard player and singer who put his heart and soul into his music. He especially enjoyed performing the music of Stevie Wonder. His most recent musical endeavors were with the band Diamond Dust as well as solo performances locally and on social media.
He also loved nature. For many years he owned and operated a successful landscaping business. One of his favorite pastimes was to take a country drive along the backroads of Westport to Horseneck Beach where he would just park and watch the waves.
Newby had an engaging, charming personality and easily made friends. His smile and twinkling eyes quickly endeared him to those he met. Newby never had children of his own but was very close to his nieces, nephews, and great-nephews as well as his step-children from an earlier marriage. He was especially close to his great-nephew Will. Newby’s most cherished times were those spent with family and when he was sitting at his keyboard playing music while singing his heart out.
Those closest to Newby know he struggled during his last few years with personal and health issues, but he persevered and braved his circumstances as best he could, living modestly in Mattapoisett senior housing until his unexpected death.
Newby will be deeply missed by all his family and friends who loved him dearly.
Paul is survived by his siblings, Susan Grace and her husband Rich Taber of Mattapoisett, Peter Eugene Grace of Tarpon Springs, FL, and Angela Grace of Ocean Springs, MS; his nieces and nephews, Jessica Noblet and her companion Barry Lima, Thomas Bonneau and his wife Ania Sliwinska, Lauren Bonneau and her partner Matthew Arriaga, Russell Dearing, and Ali Grace; his great-nephews, William Huggins and his wife Shaynna, Samuel Noblet, James Noblet; and his step-children James Glover and Tricia Guenette.
His memorial service will be held Saturday, February 22, 2025 from 1pm-3pm at the Seamen’s Bethel 15 Johnny Cake Hill, New Bedford, MA 02740. A Celebration of Newby’s Life will take place following the service from 3pm-5pm at Gallery X, 169 William St, New Bedford. For online guestbook, please visit www.saundersdwyer.com
