Paul V. Boothroyd Obituary (Acton Funeral Home)

 Paul V. Boothroyd, 88, of Maynard, Massachusetts, passed away peacefully on November 4, 2026, surrounded by family and his wife Kathy.

He was born April 30, 1938, in Maynard, son of the late Joseph and Margaret (Sullivan) Boothroyd. A lifelong resident, he proudly called Maynard his home and never moved away. Paul and Kathy married in 1963 at St. Bridget’s Church and moved into their forever home where, by the side of the Assabet, they raised a family. Frequently, they would load the three children into a station wagon and go on long trips, often camping, and they traveled much of the eastern seaboard making everlasting memories.

In the 1980s, both worked in real estate and eventually owned their own office. Paul was in his natural element, knowing and speaking to everyone in town, and the family affectionately nicknamed him “The Mayor.” He could tell homebuyers the full history of their new purchase.

Paul Boothroyd giving a talk for the Maynard Historical Society in 2003

Paul had always had a deep love of history and, especially, Maynard’s history. He saved and collected Maynard artifacts, whether postcards or letters or signs. He would talk to “old Maynardians,” gathering their stories. In the end, he proudly published several historical books about the town, the Mill, and the Ammo Dump. Furthermore, he insisted on donating copies to the Maynard Public Library so locals would always have a source of knowledge.

As grandchildren were born, Paul enjoyed his new role and doted upon each one. He would attend many a grandchild’s sporting event or show up with a gift. He would also call out of the blue to ask how the day went. To him, family was everything, and he was deeply affected if a grandchild moved away even temporarily for college.

Paul is lovingly survived by his wife Kathy and children: Paul Jr. and his wife Yuhsia of Maynard, Naomi of Three Rivers, and Todd and his husband Vlado of Boxborough and Malacky, Slovakia. He is the loving grandfather of Patrick, Erin, Ricky, Sarah, Sean, Aihua, and Vincent; and great-grandfather of Bobby, Billy, Graham, and Avery. 

Paul was predeceased by his siblings: Joseph, James, Marion, Patrick, Dorothy, Naomi, William, Joan, and Donald.

In lieu of flowers, Paul wished for memorial donations to Friends of Maynard Public Library, 77 Nason Street, Maynard, MA 01754; or Maynard Historical Commission, c/o Maynard Town Hall, 195 Main Street, Maynard, MA 01754.

MAYNARD HISTORIAN

Paul was a vital and active participant for decades in preserving and disseminating Maynard's history. He gave many lectures and tours, on behalf of the town's Maynard Historical Commission and the Maynard Historical Society. Photos, documents and artifacts in the collection of the latter can be searched and viewed online at https://collection.maynardhistory.org/. 

Over the years he co-authored four books about Maynard's history. These are available in the history collection of the Maynard Library, and can be purchased online. 

Assabet Mills (1999)

Maynard, Massachusetts (1999)

Maynard Postcard History Series (2006)

The Ammo Dump: A Taking of Heritage (2023)