BRUNSWICK — Paul E. Putnam, 81, beloved and devoted family man, was born in Lowell, Mass., on April 14, 1933, and completed his life in this world peacefully but unexpectedly on Aug. 22, 2014, in Brunswick. Paul attended public school and graduated from Lowell High in 1950. He held two degrees: BA from Boston University and MA from the University of Massachusetts. Paul also studied at College of the Holy Cross, Columbia University, and the University of Chicago.

Paul began his career as a teacher in September 1956. He taught 36 students in grades 7 and 8 in the basement of the town hall of New Salem, Mass., all subjects, for two years. Beginning with the 1958 school year, he taught math and social studies at the Ralph C. Mahar Regional High School in Orange, Mass. In December 1964 Paul left teaching and joined the Massachusetts Teachers Association as a field representative. In October 1968 he was employed by the National Education Association (NEA) in Washington, D.C. as a teacher rights specialist. Paul retired from the NEA as a senior professional associate in December 1994. During his successful career Paul was an enthusiastic participant and integral part of his four sons’ formative years, volunteering as their scout master and as a timer official for all their swim meets at the local swim club in Maryland.

He moved with Cynthia, his wife of 47 years, to Brunswick in 1997. She predeceased him in September 2004 as did his second son, Robert, in November 2010.

Surviving him are: Clayton and his wife Cindy of Mt. Airy, MD and their daughters Becky and Jody; Glen and his wife Judye of Hagerstown, MD and their daughters Briona and Joanna; Stephen and his wife Martha of Suffolk, VA and their daughters Sean and Abi, and Robert’s son Gregory and daughter Jillian. One sister survives Paul, Priscilla Rooth, of Brunswick, ME, as well as three out-of-state nephews and one niece: Peter and David Hildebrand (Carol) of MA, Richard Rooth (Betsy) of LA, and Barbara Rooth of ME. In addition Paul has a great-grandson James, the son of Briona and Pete Bielanski of Hagerstown, MD.

Paul was an active member of St. Paul’s Episcopal Church, Friends of Bowdoin, the Navy League, People Plus, and Bath Senior Citizens.

At his request, there will be no memorial service or funeral. A graveside celebration of Paul’s life will be held for the family when his ashes are interred in the North Newport Cemetery, Newport, N.H.

In lieu of flowers, donations in his memory may be mailed to: Mid-Coast Hunger Prevention Program, P.O. Box 632, Brunswick, ME 04011.

For more information or to send a condolence, please visit the Newton-Bartlett Funeral Home at www.newtonbartlett.com.