Colonel (Ret.) Paul T.  McEachern, 87, a long-time Bedford resident died peacefully at his home on Monday November 14, after battling a long illness. He was surrounded by his family.

Paul was born on September 20, 1935, in Boston, Massachusetts where his family was part of St. Margaret's Parish. He was the son of the late Paul Theodore and Margaret Estelle (Keefe) McEachern. Paul met his late wife Elaine (Marnell) when they were both in their early teens living in Dorchester and were married for 59 years.

Paul graduated from Boston College High School in 1953 where he ran track and field. He went on to attend the University of Massachusetts in Amherst on a ROTC scholarship, graduating in 1957 with a Bachelor's degree in Electrical Engineering. He then began his 22 year career in the Air Force, earning his Master's Degree from the University of Southern California in 1969 and became an expert in Radar Systems. After his retirement from the Air Force in 1982, he finished his professional career at Textron Systems in Wilmington.

Paul loved to travel, spending time in Europe, Hawaii, and Singer Island, Florida. The family also spent many summers on the Cape as part of the infamous Cottage Club in Falmouth. Paul was an active parishioner in the St. Michael's community.  He was also a member of the Knights of Columbus, chairing the Scholarship committee for many years.

He is survived by his four children and their spouses: Paul R. McEachern and Laurent Glesener of Bech-Kleinmacher, Luxembourg, Michael McEachern and Denise McGovern of Milford, MA, Elaine Cadwallader of Littleton, MA, and Janice Fisher of Bedford, MA. Paul had three grandchildren, Frederick Fisher, Erin Cadwallader, Monty Cadwallader. Paul, the oldest of five children, was predeceased by Robert E. McEachern and his wife Joan. He is survived by his sister Margaret M. and her husband Paul Rusconi of Braintree, his brother James F. and his wife Kathy of Ringe, NH, and his sister Anne M. and her husband, Dan Lipcan of Atlantis, FL.  He also leaves many nieces and nephews.

Visitation will be at the Bedford Funeral Home, 167 Great Rd., Bedford, on Sunday, November 20 from 2:00 - 5:00 PM.  A Mass of Christian Burial will be held at St. Michael's Church, 90 Concord Rd., Bedford, on Monday, November 21 at 10:00 AM.

In lieu of flowers, contributions can be made in Paul's memory to one of these charities: The Pine Street Inn or St. Jude Children's Research Hospital