Obituary: Paul L. Matthews, 63

Paul Lawrence Matthews, of Heritage Road, Barrington, died Saturday, Dec. 1, 2012. He was 63.

Born in Waltham, MA, he was a son of the late Stanley W. and Gertrude S. (Dore) Matthews.

He is survived by his daughters, Kimberly L. Cranson and her husband Tom of Bedford, Mass. and Karie Ann Matthews; his brothers and sisters, Richard Matthews and his wife, Bjorg, of Greensboro, NC, Wayne A. Matthews and his wife, Eileen, of Houston, Tex., Stanley W. Matthews of Bristol, Lynn Curtin and her husband, Donald, of Barrington, and Judith A. Matthews of Portsmouth, NH, and his companion, Lenore Andrade of Warren.  In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by a brother, Francis G. Matthews. 

He was raised in Bristol, RI, and was a resident for a number of years before moving to Barrington 17 years ago.  

He was a Lance Corporal in the US Marine Corps, serving in Vietnam and receiving the Vietnam Service Medal with 1 star and the Combat Action Ribbon.

He graduated sum cum laude from Salve Regina University in 1982. He  was employed by Raytheon in Portsmouth for several years, before his love of the road changed his career path to long-haul truck driving.

He was a member of St. Michael's Church, Bristol, a member of the Leatherneck and the Viking Riders and Special Forces Motorcycle Club, Bristol County Lodge of Elks #1860 and Cup Defenders Association in Bristol.  

Relatives and friends are invited to attend visiting hours on Friday, Dec. 14, 2012 from 4 to 8 pm in the Sansone Funeral Home, 192 Wood Street, Bristol. A graveside service with military honors will be held on Saturday, Jan. 26, 2013 at 11:00 am in the Rhode Island Veterans Memorial Cemetery, Exeter, RI.  

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to Toys for Tots, c/o SSgt. Michael Cremin, 1 Narragansett Street, Providence, RI 02905.

For online condolences, shared memorial, information, and directions go to www.sansonefuneralhome.com.