Hanson- Paul Joseph Dias, age 73 of Hanson, passed away February 16 at South Shore Hospital following a period of failing health. Born March 4, 1938, he was the son of the late John and Helen Dias (McKendry). He was raised in Milton and graduated from Milton High School, class of 1956. He also received his BS in Engineering from Northeastern University, Boston, MA.
He is survived by his wife Patricia (Dyer) Dias and 5 children. Paul Shiels and (Julieanne) of Rockland, Deb Barretto and (Joe) of Hanson, Susan Renfrew of Hanson, Kristin Correa and (RJ) of Fall River and Erin Worrick of Hanson. He is also survived by his brother Peter Dias of Mississippi, and 7 grandchildren: Valerie, Danielle, Elizabeth, Bradley, Cody, Julia and Olivia. In addition he also leaves several nieces and nephews, his cousin Judy of East Dorset, VT, his mother-in-law Barbara Wager of Middleboro, his sister-in-law Nancy Caron and (Richard) of Middleboro, and sister-in-law Donna Carey and (Frank) of Hanson.
He was also the brother of the late Helene Dias Lynn, Jack Dias, Matthew Dias and Donna Dias.
Paul took much pleasure in his Antiques/Auction business, antique cars and doing charity auctions. He has the opportunity to do an Auction of Arthur Fieldler's Collection. He enjoyed his fihing trips with the love of his life, soul mate & best friend, his wife Pat, who he always said made him complete. He treasured their Vermont and Martha's Vineyard vacations, and all of the friendships he made along the way. His greatest joy was playing Santa Claus for the South Shore Antique Auto Club Children's Christmas Party. He was so happy to have his grandchildren in his life, they were his pride & joy! He was the best Grampa! He thought of his daughter-in-law as his own daughter. His 6 favorite words were: Thank you! Thank you! Thank you! When asked by anyone what was his date of birth he would say that it's the most commanding day of the year! March 4th Hep, Two, Three, Four! He loved to make people smile!! He will be truly missed by all that knew and loved him.
Paul was an active lifetime member of the South Shore Antique Auto Club and served as vice president in 1967, club treasurer in 1969 and as president in 1970. He was also a member of MARCOM (Model A Restorer's Club of MA), and Old Colony Model T Club for many eyars. He founded MAAC (Massachusetts Antique Auto Counsel) now known as Massachusetts Association of Auto Club in 1970 which is still going strong today promoting & protecting the automobile collecting hobby in MA. He remained in MAAC as vice president. He was a member of Rotary earning the Paul Harris Fellowship Award. He was an NRA Endowment Member and enjoyed doing fund raising Auctions for the NRA & GOAL. He worked as an Engineer for the Boston Redevelopment Authority for many years before starting his own Antiques/Auction Business in 1972.
Following cremation there will be a visitation/memorial service at Leighton-MacKinnon Funeral Home, 4 West Washington Street, Hanson, on Saturday March 3rd from 1-5pm. Anyone wishing to bring their Antique Car to the service is welcome. In lieu of flowers donations can be made in Paul's memory to Holy Family Church, 403 Union St. Rockland, MA 02370, St. Jude's Children's Research Hospital, 501 St. Jude's Place, Memphis, TN 38105 or Children's Hospital Boston, 1 Autumn Street #731 Boston, MA 02215-5301

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