Dr. Paul F. Fletcher, PH.D., age 87 of Evelyn Drive, Bristol, died Tuesday, January 19, 2016.  He was the husband of Louise L. (Ouellette) Fletcher, his wife of 61 years.

He was born in 1928 in the South End or “out the globe” as he would put it in old Fall River, MA, a son of the late Ralph and Margaret (Sweeney) Fletcher.  An educator for fifty years, he taught English in North Chicago, Hempstead, Long Island, Fall River and Colt Memorial High Schools prior to thirty years as Professor of English (Emeritus) at Bristol Community College in his native city. His accomplishments were pretty fair teaching, being named the 220th Bristol Fourth of July patriotic speaker and the privilege of working with Bristolian and three-time Academy Award recipient, Actor Anthony Quinn at the Bristol Statehouse, where he starred in the 1833 murder trial of Bristol minister Ephian K. Avery for the murder of Fall River mill girl Maria Cornell.

He also wrote a fantasy novel, Memories of a Catholic Boyhood.  A local historian, he has written and lectured on the Colt and Barrymores and Bristol slave owners in the Providence Journal, on TV and in area museums.  He considered his major accomplishments to be his wife, his two daughters and five sons, theirs spouses, his fourteen grandchildren and five great grandchildren – where would he been without them and of course, his best friend Ray Lavertue.

As he reached the sunset of his life with all life has had to offer, Paul leaves us this advice … Live life to its fullest.

In addition to his wife, he is survived by seven children; Donna Fletcher (Howard Goldser), Portland, Oregon, Paul F. Fletcher, Jr. (Kristin), Portsmouth, Christopher R. Fletcher (Marybeth Pezzullo), Bristol, Rosemary Farrar (Scott), Rehoboth, MA, Patrick M. Fletcher (Patricia), Bristol, Peter R. Fletcher (Jon Maier), New York City and Kevin C. Fletcher, Bristol, grandchildren, Jasmine, Yahanna, Chelsea, Kate, Nathan, Samuel, Rachel, Joshua, Isaiah, Justine, Samantha, Lauren and Oliver, great grandchildren, Aedan, Lia, Andre, Jr. and Isabelle.  Also survived by brothers, Ralph Fletcher, Jr., South Hadley, MA, Bernard Fletcher of Chicago and John Fletcher of New Bedford, MA and sisters, Joan Charrette, Fairhaven, MA, Ann Whalen, Somerset, MA and Margaret Grant, New York City.  In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by a grandson, Jarred and a brother, William.

Relatives and friends are invited to attend a Memorial Mass, Friday, January 22, 2016 at 11 a.m. in St. Mary’s Church, 330 Wood Street, Bristol.  Burial will be private and visiting hours are respectfully omitted.  In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to the Bristol Community College Foundation in memory of Dr. Paul Fletcher, 777 Elsbree Street, Fall River, MA  02720 or online at www.bristolcc.edu/aboutbcc/bccfoundation

For online condolences, shared memories, information and directions go to www.sansonefuneralhome.com