Paul A. Meyers

03/26/2001

Paul A. Meyers, 81, of 71 Maple St., a retired GE engineer and former town selectman, died Monday at Berkshire Medical Center. Born in Beaver Brook, N.Y., on July 26, 1919, son of Ernest and Charlotte Young Meyers, he was educated in Hunlock Township, Van Horn High School, one of the last one-room, eight-grade schools in Pennsylvania, and graduated from Harter High School, West Nanitcoke, Pa., in 1936. He also graduated from Bucknell University Junior Coll-ege, Wilkes Barre, Pa., in 1938 with an associate degree in engineering. He received his bachelor of science degree in electrical engineering in 1940. He also completed the engineering test course at Schenectady, N.Y., and Bridge-port, Conn. Mr. Meyers had been a registered professional engineer in Massachusetts since 1963 and had made his home in Hinsdale since 1944. He was employed by GE in Pittsfield in the transformer department from 1941 until 1984 in development engineering for various products of the GE transformer department. He was involved in engineering design, radar equipment, transformer design and test of equipment for the U.S.government plant at Oak Ridge, Tenn. (Manhattan Project); regulator engineering design and test field service engineering. Following his retirement, he served as a professional consultant for several years for Electrical Mutual Insurance Co. A member of the First Congregational Church of Hinsdale, he served as superintendent of the Sunday school, was a Sunday school teacher, a member of the Finance Committee, the board of deacons and the board of trustees. He also served as president and vice president for several terms in the church's Mr. & Mrs. Club. He was a member of the GE Quarter Century Club and a charter member of the Hinsdale Lions Club. He served as a selectman for four terms, on the Hinsdale Finance Committee for one term and as a Hinsdale Public Library trustee. He and his wife were foster parents for the former New England Home for Little Wanderers, and the New England Department of Children's Services. They took care of 15 children, ranging in age from 1 day old to 15 years old. Mr. Meyer enjoyed woodworking, carpentry, home remodeling, gardening, auto repair and restoration. He had a collection of Israel Bissell memorabilia and "Joe Palooka" items. His interest in environmental preservation issues was evident in his tree planting and in campaigning against the proposed Hinsdale landfill. He also participated in several local talent shows. Fascinated with the use of the English language, he enjoyed tongue twisters as well as unusual words and expressions. His chosen motto was "Carpe diem quam minimum credea postero," which means "Enjoy today, trust little to tomorrow." His interest in antiques restoration was heightened with his acquisition of a 1961 Nash Metropolitan hard-top, and he was an avid member of the Metropolitan Antique Car Club. A charter member of the Yankee Mets and a member of the New England Chapter of Met Owners Club of North America, he served as chapter president for six years. He leaves his wife, the former Emilie O. Flynn, whom he married Aug. 19, 1939; four sons, Robert B. Meyers of Windsor, Donald R. Meyers of Chester, Gerald A. Meyers of Sandy, Utah, and Thomas A. Meyers of Alhambra, Calif.; a daughter, Sandra E. Matthews of Jacksonville, Fla.; a brother, Raymond Meyers of Hunlock, Pa.; 14 grandchildren and 18 great-grandchildren. There will be no calling hours. A memorial service will be held on Friday at 11 in the First Congregational Church of Hinsdale with the Rev. Michele P. Cijka, pastor, officiating. Following cremation, burial will be in the Maple Street Cemetery, Hinsdale, at a later date. Following the services on Friday, the family will greet friends in the church parish hall for a time of refreshments and remembrances. In lieu of flowers, donations are suggested to the First Congregational Church of Hinsdale, Mass., c/o the BARTLETT-WELLINGTON FUNERAL HOME, 525 Main St., Dalton, MA 01226, which is in charge of arrangements.

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