Obituary of Paul A Funk Jr.

Paul A. Funk Jr, 51 years old, of Duxbury, MA passed away suddenly on April 15, 2023. He was born on September 22, 1971 in Malden, MA and was raised in Wakefield, MA. Adored son of the late Paul and Marie (Larsen) Funk. He is survived by his loving wife Heather, his daughters Molly and Madison, and his son Jack. He is also survived by his sister Jeannie Jayne and her husband Paul of Woburn, MA, his mother-in-law Dianne Young, sister-in-law Hollie Landwher, and her husband Bobby all of Hampstead, NC. Cherished uncle of Charlie, Ben, and Andrew Jayne and Katelyn and Karlie Landwher. Loving friend, cousin and nephew to many.

Paul was a graduate of the Wakefield High School class of 1989 where he was a standout athlete in football, hockey, and baseball. He went on to play Division 1 collegiate baseball at the University of Connecticut, was a starting freshman and a co-captain his senior year. Paul loved his Husky baseball family and took pride in his team’s accomplishments, including the Big East Championship in 1990 and NCAA tournament run in 1993.

After graduating from UConn, Paul continued his education at the University of New Mexico earning a master’s degree in exercise physiology while being a teaching assistant and assistant baseball coach. It was there that he met his loving wife Heather.

In 1996 Paul returned to Massachusetts and began teaching science in the Everett Public Schools. It was here that his coaching and teaching career began. Paul first started teaching science at the Parlin Junior High School and then at Everett High School. He also was an assistant football coach, assistant hockey coach, and assistant baseball coach.

In 2001 he accepted a teaching and head football coach position job at Dennis-Yarmouth Regional High School. Paul was well known for his coaching abilities as a football and baseball coach at DY. He created a program of Dolphin pride in the sports he coached. Within 10 years of becoming the head football coach Paul brought a struggling football program to the Super Bowl three times and winning championships in 2011 and again in 2017. Paul was named ‘New England Patriots Coach of the Year’ in 2017.

After teaching for almost 18 years Paul became the Athletic Director/Assistant Principal at DY High School. He then completed his doctoral degree from Northeastern University in 2015 and became the principal at DY high school in 2019. For the past 4 years he dedicated his educational and leadership expertise to the faculty and students at DY. Having taught for so many years he understood the importance of being involved with students, often having lunch with them in the cafeteria and attending numerous sporting events, orchestra and band concerts, theater performances, etc. He was a proud member of the DY community and it showed through his dedication to his job and students.

Not only did he give 110% to his job and coaching, but also to his family and friends. Paul could be seen cheering on his children at their games or standing on the first baseline coaching his son. Although he was not a fan of traveling, he would travel anywhere for his children’s tournaments and games. He would do anything for family and cherished his many friendships.

Paul also absolutely loved boating and fishing off the Cape. He could be found in the early morning hours heading out of Saquatucket Harbor with his father on his boat, the Bella Marie, to catch some stripers. They never came back empty handed. Paul would often take his family and friends to Monomoy Island for a relaxing beach day or to Nantucket for the day.

Paul’s death has left a void in so many loved ones’ hearts. It is hard to imagine being in this world without him. Like his parents who preceded him in death, a bright light has left this earth to shine brighter in the sky.

Visiting hours will be held at Shepherd Funeral Home, 216 Main St. Kingston, MA on Friday April 21 from 3-7pm. Further visitation hours to pay your respects will be on Saturday April 22 9am-12pm at Dennis-Yarmouth Regional High School, 210 Station Ave, South Yarmouth, MA. Graveside service will be private.

Donations can be made in Paul's memory to a scholarship fund established for his children

: The Funk Childrens Scholarship Fund 5 Crawford Drive Woburn, Ma 01801