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In memory of

Paul James Walako

Danvers, MA

June 17, 1958 - November 19, 2024

Jun 17, 1958 - Nov 19, 2024

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Paul J. Walako

June 17, 1958 — November 19, 2024

Paul James Walako, 66, passed away at home in Danvers, Massachusetts, on November 19, 2024, following a lengthy battle with cancer. Throughout his illness, Paul fought hard not only for himself, but for his family. As with everything he did, he set an example for his children of a life lived with great integrity.

Paul was born in New Jersey on June 17, 1958 to Norma (Barone) Walako and the late Paul V. Walako. He grew up in Topsfield, Massachusetts, graduating in 1976 from Masconomet Regional High School.

At Eaton Corporation/Axcelis Technologies, Inc. in Beverly, Massachusetts, Paul was a Senior Operations Manager. He retired earlier this year following more than 40 years of dedicated service.

Paul loved his family and friends immensely. He never liked calling attention to himself, but preferred sitting back and quietly observing all the interactions around him. He was an early riser, up at 5am to get on with the day. He was hardworking, loyal, incredibly smart, and a self-proclaimed “holder of useless information.” On holidays, he prepared the traditional dishes he grew up with, and served up brandy and eggnog to everyone at Christmas.

Paul was a true lover of nature and thrived on spending time outdoors — fishing, golfing, or hiking with the kids. For many years, the family vacationed along Lake Champlain. He particularly loved taking his canoe out on the lake. He was proud to have taught his daughters to fish — and remove their own hooks — when they were young.

The beautiful countryside around Frenchtown, New Jersey, has been a second home for Paul, where he, Alayne, and the girls have gathered often to visit “Grandma” and celebrate holidays and family occasions.

Paul is survived by his loving wife of 34 years, Alayne (Hollingdale) Walako; daughters Emily R. Papa and her husband, Anthony, of Florida; Hannah R. Walako and Kate E. Walako of Massachusetts; daughter Meredith Walako, granddaughter Madeline, and son Michael Walako, all of California.

He is survived by his mother, Norma J. Walako, sister, Zanya Gissler, and brother, John Walako, of New Jersey; nephew Arnaud Spanos of New York; sister Lisa A. Walako and her fiance, Charlie Perelli, of Pennsylvania; and his in-laws, Linda Hollingdale, Mary Loney, Barbara Hollingdale, and Bill Riley of Vermont.

We love you, Paul. You will be deeply missed and forever loved.

The family would like to extend a special thanks to Paul’s medical doctors at Beth Israel Lahey Health, and his in-home hospice partners at BILH At Home, especially his nurse Anne Marie DiPaolo. We’re so grateful for your compassionate care.

A celebration of Paul’s life will be held at Danversport, in the Terrace Ballroom, on Wednesday, December 4, 2024, at 4:30 pm, followed immediately with refreshments. All friends and family are welcome to come and share memories and stories.

In lieu of flowers, please consider making a donation to Lake Champlain International (LCI), an organization that works to keep Lake Champlain “swimmable, drinkable, and fishable” for future generations (www.mychamplain.net) or to BILH At Home hospice (https://bilhathome.org/ giving).