Dr. Paul J. Lavin

[broadstreet zone=”63788″]

[broadstreet zone=”66384″]

FRAMINGHAM – Dr. Paul J. Lavin passed away at MetroWest Medical Center, Framingham on December 31, 2020.

He was born to George and Rose Lavin of Holliston, February 3, 1939.

After graduating from St. Mary’s High School in Milford, Paul attended Boston College where he earned a BS degree in Elementary Education, 1962.

In 1961, President Kennedy established the Peace Corp as a new way for the youth of America to serve our country. Paul was enthusiastic about this challenge to young people and volunteered for the Peace Corps in 1963.  After a summer training course at the University of Syracuse, he was stationed in Liberia, West Africa for the next two years as a teacher/coach. The following year he continued to work for the Peace Corp in Washington, DC as a college representative and recruiter. 

In 1969, Paul moved to Baltimore where he earned a PhD in Counseling at the University of Maryland in 1971.

Upon graduation he accepted a position at Towson University as Assistant Professor of Psychology.

In 1974, he opened a private practice in Catonsville, MD. While in private practice he continued teaching and he worked with community groups.  He particularly loved The Children’s Home in Catonsville, a residential care facility for young people. At the home he was a therapist/teacher for boys and girls 13 to 21years of age. 

Along with work, he was an avid softball player, who enjoyed many years as a pitcher for the Windsor Electric Men’s softball team. He enjoyed running and exercise well into his golden years. It was during these years that he began to write about his experiences in mental health.

After retiring, Paul returned to Holliston where he continued writing and was a part-time counselor. Over his long career, he published more than twenty books and many articles based on his experiences as a counselor/teacher. He also authored several books that focused on Traditional Catholicism.

Prior to his passing, he published, The Golden Years, a book offering readers spiritual and cognitive strategies for confronting the challenges of aging.

He believed that psychology has a major influence on all aspects of our lives and proper use of it can do much to alleviate suffering and enhance the quality of human life. He always said laughingly, despite being an “old bird,” I’m still enthusiastic about sharing my experience with the generations to follow.

The family would like to thank the staff at St Patrick’s Manor in Framingham for the loving care and attention given to Paul over the last year.

Dr. Lavin is survived by his wife, Roberta; his daughter, Kathryn; his son, Anthony; his granddaughters, Kira and Sofia; his grandson, Gunnar; two sisters, Patricia and Kathleen and many nieces, nephews and cousins.

Relatives and friends are invited to attend visiting hours Thursday, January 14, 2021 from 8:30-9:30 a.m. at the Norton Funeral Home, 53 Beech St. (Corner of Union Ave.) Framingham. Funeral Mass and burial will be private.

In lieu of flowers, expressions of sympathy may be made to the Children’s Home, 205 Bloomsbury Ave., Catonsville, MD 21228 or St. Benedict Center School Expansion Program, 282 Still River Road, P.O. Box 1000, Still River, MA 01467

To leave a message of condolence and sign the online guestbook, please visit www.nortonfuneralhome.com .