Paul M. Rankin, 65

BENNINGTON, Vt. — Paul M. Rankin, 65, a resident of Bennington, Vt., passed away unexpectedly at his home October 31, 2018. 

Paul was born in Albany, N.Y., on November 2, 1952, the son of the late Peter T. and Mary V. (Murphy) Rankin. He attended Blessed Sacrament School and Albany High School. 

Paul was a retired member of the Albany, N.Y., Fire Department as lieutenant of Ladder 2. He was an Amateur Radio operator with his call-sign WE2M and enjoyed hunting, fishing and everything involving mechanics and electronics. Paul was also an audiophile and was known for his great story-telling and sense of humor. 

He is survived by the love of his life and high school sweetheart, his wife Cindy (Kelley) Rankin of Bennington; children John Rankin and his wife Patricia of Long Island, N.Y., and Amy Rankin and her husband Christopher Williams of Rutland, Vt., and sister Barbara (Rankin) McDonough of Albany, N.Y. 

He was preceded in death by his brother and friend Thomas W. Rankin. 

Funeral notice: Memorial services for Paul will be announced at a later date. If friends desire, memorial gifts in Paul's memory may be made to a local chapter of the ASPCA, c/o of Hanson-Walbridge & Shea Funeral Home, P.O. Box 957, Bennington, VT 05201. The memorial mass for Paul will be held Saturday Nov. 10, 2018, at the Blessed Sacrament Church, 607 Central Ave., Albany, N.Y. 12206.