Paul D. Armstrong
Beloved husband, father, grandfather, great grandfather, brother, friend and epic story- teller;
Paul D. Armstrong, 71, beloved husband of the late Colleen P. Armstrong, with whom he recently celebrated 50 wonderful years of marriage, passed away peacefully on Tuesday February 23rd of a broken heart. He enjoyed a full life, often surrounded by his children, grandchildren and great grandchildren.
A longtime resident of Lowell MA, he was born to the late Robert J. and the late Eileen M. (Hogan) Armstrong.
A student of the Immaculate Conception School, Paul later studied at Newburgh Theological Seminary in Newburgh, NY. He was a 1967 graduate of Lowell High School and a graduate of Northern Essex Community College.
Paul had a lengthy career working with technology from the days of microfilm and microfiche at Prime Computer and Raytheon through his time as a computer specialist at Best Buy, where he was an influential mentor to many. He also spent years working alongside his brother-in-law Lee at Northeastern Consulting Forestry Services.
Aside from spending as much time as possible with his family, Paul was a prolific story teller of epic tales. He was also an accomplished bowler and avid golfer. He was happiest when participating in a variety of outdoor activities including softball, fishing, water skiing, swimming, camping and canoeing with his ever-present red fishing hat. He took pride in being a master creator of scavenger hunt lists, fierce Survivor competitor, joke teller, and card and game aficionado. Paul’s crowning achievement was implementing “Grampy’s Plan” of embarking on a family trip to Walt Disney World. Paul’s family was the center of his world – his mantra was “Family IS Everything”!
Paul is survived by his 4 loving children: Mark Armstrong and his wife Holly of Dracut, MA; Keith Armstrong and his wife Sherrie of Chelmsford, MA; Justine Matte and her husband John of Merrimack, NH; and Heather Armstrong and her fiancé Steven Munroe of Townsend, MA; an extremely proud and enthusiastic Grampy to 11 grandchildren and 3 great grandchildren: Katlynn (Armstrong) Wageling, Tyler Armstrong, Rachel Armstrong, Rileigh Armstrong, Stephanie Matte, Julia Matte, Ethan Matte, Morgan Armstrong, Brady Matte, Marissa Matte, Leah Munroe and great grandchildren Emma, Eleanor and Sarah Wageling. Grampy was a central figure in each of their lives and they will miss him dearly.
Paul is also survived by his 2 sisters: Sandra Garneau and her husband Lee of Hudson, NH; Eileen Dion of Pleasanton, CA; his brother Michael Armstrong and his wife Joan of Lowell, MA.; and many nieces and nephews whom he held very dear to his heart. He is also survived by beloved sisters-in-law: Gloria Allard of Seattle, WA; Dianne Callahan and her husband Tim of Portsmouth, NH; Pamela Stoddard and her husband Butch of Gilford, NH; Christine Pilgram of Salt Lake City, UT, and Beth Perron of Ipswich, MA.
Paul is predeceased by his late brother Robert J. Armstrong Jr. as well as his in-laws Maureen Armstrong, John Dion, Bernard Perron, John Perron, Edward Allard, Michael Callahan; nieces Christine Allard and Karen Lefebvre, and nephew David Armstrong.
Friends may call at the O’DONNELL FUNERAL HOME 276 PAWTUCKET ST. in LOWELL on Monday March 1, 2021 from 4 to 7 P.M. His Funeral Mass will be celebrated at the IMMACULATE CONCEPTION CHURCH on Tuesday March 2nd at 12:30 p.m. (All state required social distancing procedures will be observed including the wearing of masks upon entrance into the Funeral Home and the church). Burial will follow at St. Mary Cemetery in North Tewksbury. E-condolences/directions at www.odonnellfuneralhome.com. Those wishing may make contributions in his memory to the Michael J. Fox Foundation, (Parkinson’s Disease Researh) P.O. Box 5014, Hagerstown, MD 21741. Arrangements by Funeral Director James F. O’Donnell, Jr. (978) 458-8768.
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