Published in the March 20, 2017 edition.
READING — Paul Robert MacKinnon, 55, passed away suddenly on March 13 at his home in Reading.
He was born on April 27, 1961 in Melrose to the late Peter and Kathleen (Oldham) MacKinnon.
Paul grew up in Wakefield. He worked at H&H Industrial Truck in Woburn and Abel Womack as a forklift truck mechanic for many years.
Paul was an avid fisherman and enjoyed all types of fishing. Plum Island had a special place in Paul’s heart growing up there as a child and spending many summer days throughout his life on the island with family and friends.
Paul loved boating and being out on the Parker River catching strippers, bluefish and cod. Paul’s love for the outdoors led him to participate every spring in the Annual Ipswich River Clean Up, paddling his canoe down stream to remove downed trees and trash so others could enjoy the river the way he did.
Paul had a mechanical ability to fix almost anything, and at one time he was part of the Sawyer MacKinnon Racing Team where he spent a great amount of time preparing race cars for the track. He could also be found helping his family and friends with their vehicle repairs.
Paul’s love for racing lead him to participate at New England Dragway, even winning trophys for his driving skills. Paul enjoyed watching and attending drag racing and NASCAR races.
Paul loved Jeep Jamborees and took his Jeep Comanche pickup through the challenging trails. He enjoyed snowmobiling and time by the fire.
Paul treasured attending many of his nephews’ and great nephews’ sports games, including watching his great nephews win the Super Bowl this past November.
Paul also had a competitive side that showed when he played cribbage.
Paul volunteered at the Reading and Stoneham Food pantries. He also enjoyed cooking; his chicken noodle soup was the best!
Paul went to the Fresenius Dialysis Center in Stoneham, three times a week for the past 10 years. Paul had the privilege of getting to know many doctors and nurses who took care of him and our family would like to acknowledge the kindness and care given to Paul during his treatments.
Paul is survived by his brother Peter of Lunenburg; Fred and his wife Karen of Wakefield; sister Sally and her husband Robert of Lunenburg, and brother David (William) of Rowley. He is survived by his nieces and nephews: Jennifer and her husband Brad, Freddy, Cody, Cindy, Daniel and his wife Brittney, Josh and Toni. He is survived by great nieces and nephews Andrew, Chrystopher, Kyle, Harper, Aubree, Carter, Brooke and Connor.
A memorial service will be held at Doherty Barile Funeral Home, 11 Linden St., Reading, MA on Saturday, March 25, at 2 p.m. Parking attendants and ramped entrance available.
For directions or to send a memorial condolence www.barilefuneral.com or www.facebook.com/Barile/Family/Funeral/Home.
