Paul M. Meehan died peacefully from complications of a stroke on Feb. 27, 2024 at Holy Cross Hospital in Fort Lauderdale, Fla. He was 79.
The third son of John T. and Eleanor O’B. Meehan, Paul was born on Aug. 16, 1944 in Northampton. He grew up on the Beaver Brook Poultry Farm, where, as one of four boys, he enjoyed an exciting childhood. He graduated from Northampton High School in 1962 and from the UMass Amherst in 1966 with a degree in sociology.
Paul discovered that he had a knack for retail sales while working at Caldor’s in Northampton. As a result, he joined Everett MacDonald at the Hadley Village Barn Shops and later became the owner of the Christmas Shop and the Curtain Shop, which he operated for many years.
After selling his shops, Paul retired to Eastham, where his life partner, Ted Filteau, had a house. He and Ted loved Provincetown.
“They enjoyed being able to walk to things,” Paul’s brother Kerry said, “especially being surrounded by culture.” They bought a condo on Alden Street and spent every subsequent summer enjoying the arts and fine dining, Kerry added.
They spent winters in Fort Lauderdale, where Paul was active on their condominium board.
Paul was a lifelong lover of the beach and the ocean, and he and Ted spent countless hours as dedicated walkers, exploring the beaches of the Outer Cape and the Florida coastline. He was known for his sense of humor and curiosity and as an excellent conversationalist.
He visited many countries in South America, Europe, and the Pacific, his favorite being Australia, where he and Ted drove the entire east coast from Tasmania and Melbourne to Cairns. They camped out in the Great Red Center (Uluru) and drove the west coast from Perth to Albany. The Indian Ocean enchanted them.
Proud of his Irish heritage and citizenship, Paul enjoyed many trips to Ireland seeking out family landmarks and discovering his “homeland.” He made friends around the world.
Paul is survived by his partner, Theodore Filteau of Fort Lauderdale and Provincetown; brothers Tim Meehan and wife Suzanne of Northampton and Kerry Meehan and wife Donna of Easthampton; niece Kristen Shea and husband Dick of Holyoke and daughter Alana Smith and husband Dakota of Ludlow; and nephew Eric Meehan and wife Melinda of Huntingdon and children Lucas, Maria, and Erica of Northampton. He also leaves several great-nieces and a great-nephew.
He is missed by Ted’s daughters, Heather Crepeau and Holly Grant, and grandchildren John Crepeau and Ashley and Dayton Grant. He leaves many friends in Provincetown and in Fort Lauderdale, especially Del Proia.
Paul was predeceased by his parents and by his brother Edward.
There will be a Mass of Christian Burial at Our Lady of the Hills Catholic Church in Haydenville at 11 a.m. on May 16, 2024.
In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to a favorite charity in Paul’s name.
