Paul had a long and distinguished career in the Coast Guard and the marine industry. He was born April 15, 1940, in Malden, MA, a son of Dolph Hureau and Sybil Rich. He was a graduate of Stoneham High School. He married Beverly (Potter) Brown in Scituate, MA, on July 8, 1990. The couple lived in Duxbury, MA, for 26 years before retiring to Maine in 2011.
Paul was a 1961 graduate of Massachusetts Maritime Academy, where he earned a bachelor’s degree in seamanship and navigation, and received an unlimited Third Mate’s license in the Merchant Service.
Following graduation he entered the Coast Guard through their OCS program and was then assigned to the Merchant Marine Safety Office in Baltimore. From Baltimore Paul transferred to the First Coast Guard District (Boston) where he served with the Marine Inspection Office, the District Marine Safety Division, and eventually became Chief of the District’s Boating Safety Branch, a tour that netted Paul a Coast Guard Commendation medal for his efforts in promoting boating safety.
It was in the boating division that Paul had the enviable task of visiting all 100+ boat builders from Maine to RI, explaining the new C.G. regulations in boating safety. One of these visits was to Boston Whaler, where Paul (after leaving active duty) was hired to serve as their first service manager. Other positions followed, and eventually he created their Commercial Products Division, which became recognized as “the” source for small boats throughout the governmental community.
As Paul’s civilian career was nurturing, his interest in the Coast Guard was fulfilled by staying in the Reserves where he had two commands, the latter as Commander Reserve Southern Zone (1st C.G. District).
It was during this period that Paul was active in the boating community where he served on the National Boating Safety Advisory Council (BSAC), was a member of the National Association of State Boating Law Administrators (NASBLA), and with the New England and Massachusetts Marine Trades Associations, the latter honoring Paul with their “Boating Safety Award.” After 23 years of service, Paul retired with a rank of Captain.
When Boston Whaler moved its operation to Florida in 1991, Paul decided to stay a New Englander and set up two corporations; Maritime International became a consulting firm specializing in patrol boats, and he and his wife established their own boat company called Maritime Skiff; small family/fishing boats. Maritime Skiff went to market in 1992 and in 2007 Paul and Bev sold the company to Kenway Corporation of Augusta, Maine.
In 2011 they moved to Highland Green in Topsham where he enjoyed his new neighborhood and boating on Casco Bay. He volunteered at the Maine Maritime Museum, and was a member of the Mere Point Yacht Club where he had recently been elected to the board of directors.
He is predeceased by his parents; stepmother, Margaret Hureau; and a grandson, Nathan Hureau.
He is survived by his wife Beverly of Topsham; a son Robert Hureau and his wife Bethan of East Greenwich, RI; a daughter, Patricia Davies and her husband William of Norwell, MA; proud grandfather of Jessica, Emily, Joey, Caitlin, and Nathan. He is also survived by his former wife and mother of his children, Jeanette Leavitt Hureau of Norwell, MA; one brother, Jim Hureau and his wife Janet of Cincinnati, OH; two stepsons, Dale Brown of Midland, MI, Donald Brown of Cincinnatus, NY; a stepdaughter, Debra Wyns and her husband Frank of Cincinnatus, NY; and eight stepgrandchildren. A stepbrother Robert FitzSimmons, two stepsisters Carol Miner and her husband William, and Peggy Ficociello, all of Woburn, MA.
A memorial service will take place 11 a.m. Saturday, Nov. 23, 2013, at the First Parish Church, Maine Street, Brunswick. Condolences and memories can be expressed at www.brackettfuneral home.com. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to either the Maine Maritime Museum, 243 Washington St., Bath, ME 04530, the Massachusetts Maritime Academy, Class of 1961 fund, 101 Academy Drive, Buzzards Bay, MA 02532 or to St. Jude’s Children’s Research Hospital, www.tg.stjude.org.
Comments are not available on this story.
Send questions/comments to the editors.
