Paul A. Marier

Paul Alexander Marier, 96, passed away in the care of his family and the staff at LiveWell in Plantsville on August 22, 2024. Born in Lawrence, Massachusetts on April 19,1928 to Alec and Beatrice (Carbonneau) Marier, Paul was, in every sense, a gentleman and a gentle man.

An avid learner and reader his entire life, Paul earned scholarships to Phillips Academy in Andover and Amherst College – both prestigious schools in Massachusetts – on his merit. After which he earned a master’s degree in social service at the University of Chicago in 1952.

Before heading into the professional workforce, Paul served two years of active duty and four years in the army reserves, earning an honorable discharge in 1958 as a 1st Lieutenant. His positions were in line with his education in psychology and social service administration: Medical Service Corps, M.A.S.H. units, Army prison system and Military Government support.

Paul made his way to New York City in 1958 working for Sylvania Electric Products as a Personnel Manager. His career path in human resources began then and blossomed during his 32-year career with The Stanley Works, now Stanley Black & Decker. Retiring in 1992, Paul spent 17 years in executive leadership at Stanley in Organization Development culminating in his position as V.P. of Human Resources leading all personnel services worldwide. Paul’s passion for people and how the workplace supports employees has been passed to both of his daughters who enjoy their careers as HR professionals.

With the move to New Britain in 1960 came another big change in his life when he married Kathleen Hamjy, the love of his life whom he met while working in New York City. Settling first in New Britain and then the Kensington section of Berlin, the Marier family grew with the birth of Paul Jr (1962), Anne (1964) and Jeanne (1973).

Paul and Kay together enjoyed a life of travel, sing groups in their living room, museums, tennis and vacations to Cape Cod where they built a home in North Eastham in 1981. Caring for his community was important to Paul as he served in volunteer leadership positions of many organizations: the New Britain Museum of American Art, the New Britain-Berlin YMCA, the New Britain General Hospital, Town of Berlin, the Eastham Non-Resident Taxpayer’s Association, and in service to his son’s boy scout troop and his students in ESL classes with the Literacy Volunteers of New Britain. Paul was founding President and board member of the Wheeler Clinic and Affiliates.

His family and friends will take many lessons from Paul. Perhaps the most profound was his kindness and interest in the human condition. A conversation with Paul was earnest and focused – never distracted or overbearing. If you were in a discussion with Paul, you were heard with kindness.

Aside from his wife, Kay, he leaves Paul Marier, Jr of New Britain CT, Anne McCarty (Rich) of Plantsville CT, and Jeanne Cronin (Michael) of Wilton CT. His five grandchildren called him “Poppa”: RJ & Samuel McCarty, and Kathryn, Caroline & Michael Cronin. Cousins, nieces and nephews all were very dear to Paul, in addition to his many close friends.

A Service of Remembrance will be held on Friday, Sept. 6, 2024 at 12 PM at Erickson-Hansen Funeral Home of Berlin, 111 Chamberlain Hwy, Berlin.  Calling hours are from 10 AM until the time of the service.  In lieu of flowers, donations may be sent to The New Britain Museum of American Art, Literacy Volunteers of Central Connecticut or The New Britain-Berlin YMCA.