Paul E. Tierney Sr.

US Navy Vietnam Veteran, Retired Bus driver, Pepperell Fire Department Captain; 77


PEPPERELL, MA -- Paul E. Tierney Sr., age 77, a lifelong resident of Pepperell, died January 24, 2019. He was the husband of Daisy May (Wheeler) Tierney with whom he shared 58 years of marriage. He was born in Pepperell on August 4, 1941, the son of the late Thomas J. and Sophie C. (Cutler) Tierney.


Paul graduated from Pepperell High School in 1959.  He then served his country in the U.S. Navy during the Vietnam War from 1959 to 1962 aboard the USS Bennington aircraft carrier.  He earned the Armed Forces Expeditionary Medal (Vietnam) & National Defense Service Medal.


Paul loved to drive.  He drove trailer trucks and then became a beloved commercial bus driver for many years. People loved to have him drive them and enjoyed their time with him on their trips.  He loved his family and enjoyed gambling, the VFW, spending time with his grandchildren and letting people know his opinion.  He especially enjoyed driving Roush Racing to NASCAR events in Loudon, NH with his New Hampshire State Police escort.


Paul came from a family of firefighters starting in the early 1900s on the Pepperell Fire Department.  He joined the Pepperell Fire Department Combination Company in 1963 and served for 28 years, retiring in 1991 as Captain.  He mentored many firefighters who respected his knowledge and history of the department. He was past Commander, Quartermaster and life member of Pepperell VFW Post #3291, life member of the Pepperell Knights of Columbus, Council #317, American Legion Frank West Post #213, and the Lafayette Athletic Club in Nashua, NH.


Besides his wife Daisy, he leaves four children, Judith (Thomas) Shattuck, Paul (Tracy) Tierney Jr, Laurie (David) Walker and Timothy (Barbara) Tierney.  Sisters K. Wanda Makela and S. Judith (Edward) Gillogly, brother, retired Chief Thomas J (Beverly) Tierney, Jr.  Sister-in-laws Mary Lazette, Gloria (Bill) Burton, Judith Carlisle-Marshall and Vivian Wheeler.  Brother-in-laws Silas (Maureen) Wheeler and Donald Sawtelle.  Grandchildren Shaun (Katlin) and Courtney Shattuck, Meghan and USMC Sergeant Joseph Tierney, Sydney, Chelsea and Emma Tierney, David and Taylor Walker.  Great-grandchild Cameron Paul Shattuck and many nieces, nephews and friends.  Paul loved pets with Hurricane Floyd being his favorite.


Paul was predeceased by his sister Patricia Sawtelle and brother John (Arlene) Tierney.  Sister-in-laws Dorothy (James) Bristol, June (James) Archer and brother-in-law John Wheeler.


Tierney – Paul E. Sr., age 77, lifelong resident of Pepperell. January 24, 2019. Relatives and friends are respectfully invited to attend a Mass of Christian Burial at Our Lady of Grace Parish Worshipping at St. Joseph Church, 28 Tarbell St. Pepperell, MA on Thursday, January 31, at 10:00 AM. Interment will follow in Woodlawn Cemetery, Pepperell. Visiting hours will be held in the McGaffigan Family Funeral Home, 37 Main St. (Rte. 113) Pepperell, MA on Wednesday, January 30, from 5:00-8:00 pm. In lieu of flowers, please make a donation to the Pepperell Fire Department Association, PO Box 464, Pepperell, MA 01463.