Paul F. Steed, Jr. – 68, of Billerica and formerly of Chelsea, passed away unexpectedly at his home on Wednesday, January 11, 2023. He was the husband of the late Kathleen A. (Burke) Steed.
Born in Chelsea, MA on July 20,1954, he was the son of the late Paul F., Sr. and Theresa Loretta (Crowley) Steed. He was raised in Chelsea, he attended St. Rose School and was a graduate of Chelsea High School. Later he received his LADC License for Alcohol and Drug Counseling. He has been a resident of Billerica for the past five years.
Paul worked for the Pine Street Inn for 34 years. He started as a counselor in the Men’s locker room and became further invested in his work. He served at the Men’s Inn and Holy Family Inn as a full-time Counselor, Guest Service Specialist, and a Shift Supervisor. He also performed similar work helping people while employed at St. Francis House. He mentored dozens of employees and supported thousands of shelter guests in his time at the Inn.
Paul was special for so many reasons. He was the most compassionate and patient man. He lived his life helping the less fortunate. He worked countless hours to make sure others had a safe place to sleep and eat. He also lived his life for his family. He enjoyed seeing his 3 daughters and his 9 grandchildren as often as he could. His best days were spent watching the grandkids having fun.
Paul enjoyed golfing, going to a Red Sox game, watching the Patriots from his recliner, and going to see a good movie. Whenever you saw Paul, he was wearing some type of Boston sports gear. He was an avid sports guy! He enjoyed taking his grandkids to the zoo, the farm, bowling, to the movies and to the park. He was happy as long as everyone else around him was too.
Paul was the most laid back “one day at a time” kind of guy, and his patience and grace for the chaotic world around him was a strength. This is what made him a perfect fit for his job and role as a Pa to his grandkids.
Family members include his loving daughters, Kelly (Steed) DeSousa, Paula (Steed) Dwire and her husband Jesse and Lisa (Steed) Levine and her husband Joel; sisters, Ann Marie (Steed) Scott and her husband Warren and Mary Ann (Steed) Williams; niece, Lianne Martin and nephews, Dennis and Michael Williams; grandchildren, Ashley, Lucia and Noah DeSousa; Addison, Jack and Luke Dwire and Max, Jace and Zoey Levine.
Visitation will be held on Friday, January 27 from 3:00 to 5:45 PM, followed by a Memorial service at 5:45 PM at the Croswell Funeral Home, 19 Bow Street, North Reading. In lieu of flowers memorial donations may be made in his memory to: Pine Street Inn Shelters, 444 Harrison Avenue, Boston, MA 02118. https: //pinestreetinn.org/ www.croswellfuneralhome.com
So very sorry for loss. Sounds like this place lost a gem.
I am so very sorry for your loss. Paul was a compassionate, giving man…a loving father and grandfather. May he rest in peace
I’m so sorry for your loss. He was a good guy. The world lost a great person.
He is now resting in peace
Paula we are so sorry and will keep you and your family in our thoughts and prayers. He sounds like a great guy who made a difference and will be missed by many.
So very sorry for your family’s loss. PSI, both staff & guests, will miss him dearly as well. Such a caring man. Rest in a well deserved peace Paul
With our deepest sympathy,
Leo & Joan Adorno
Sending light and love from our family to yours, we pray that God will provide for you dear Sister Paula. May Daddy rest easy knowing that his legacy lives through all his children and grandchildren and their children to come. Amen.
So sorry for your family loss, he is resting in peace
To the family of Paul, I am very sorry for your loss. Paul was a good work friend. We worked together for several decades, in various Pine Street Inn settings.
What I will remember most about Paul was his ability to treat every guest at the inn with respect and dignity. He never missed an opportunity to be extra kind and supportive to those most in need. He set an example to others in learning how to help our guests move from traumatic homelessness to becoming confident and able to make change. He will be sadly missed by those lives he has touched so graciously.
As well, I will remember Paul for the regular updates he would offer regarding his beloved daughters and grandchildren. I have seen more photos and heard more fun stories about his kids and grandkids than I could ever count. He never missed a chance to end a conversation by pulling out his phone and saying, “wait a second, I just want to show you this picture”. He would go through everyone’s name and how old they were, and offer a few words about what they were like….very thoughtful words. I can honestly say he was the proudest father and grandfather I’ve ever met.
Anyway, I wish Paul’s family peace and restful thoughts as you go through this challenging time.
Best,
Kathleen Berretto-Offutt
I am so very sorry for your deep loss. What an amazing story of this man. A life of such deep service he lead and was certainly taken much too soon from his beautiful family. Seems as though Paul was a shining star for all of those who loved and knew him.
Met Paul in the 80’s. Our paths continued to cross through the decades. Easy guy to know. Great sense of humor and a fun person to be around. Always talking about his family. Great guy – one of the best. My condolences to his family. He’ll be missed by many.