Former Billerica Police Chief BILLERICA -- Paul W. Matthews, 78, a lifelong Billerica resident passed away at home on Friday, May 2, 2025 due to complications from diabetes. He was the beloved husband of Sandra (Faria) Matthews to whom he had been married to for the past 57 glorious years.
Paul was born on March 21, 1947 in Lowell, MA. He was the son of the late George Matthews, and the late Lillian (Horman) Matthews. He was a graduate of Billerica Memorial High School class of 1966 and received his Bachelor’s Degree at the University of Lowell in 1979 and a Master’s Degree in Criminal Justice from Anna Maria College in 1981.
He proudly served his country in the United States Navy from 1967 to 1968 in San Diego and the USN reserves until 1972. Paul became a Billerica Police Officer in 1970 and was promoted through the ranks until serving as the Chief of Police from 1994 to 2001. Paul was a true townie and his life’s calling was serving the Town of Billerica. Paul was named after his uncle who gave his life to this country during World War II aboard the USS Hoel. To honor his uncle Paul was instrumental in the formation and operation of the Johnston-Hoel Association bringing together the survivors of the Battle of Leyte Gulf.
Paul was an avid story teller sharing his many years as a police officer with anyone and everyone who would listen. He was known to tell the same story over and over with many different versions. Paul loved boating on Lake Winnipesaukee and spending time at ‘The Lake’ as well as cruising around in his blue and white 57 Chevy.
He was a longtime board member of the Billerica Municipal Employees Credit Union as well as a member of the Billerica Cemetery Commission.
Paul is survived by his wife and high school sweetheart Sandra and two children, Michael Matthews and his wife Heather of Chelmsford, MA, Karen Fisher (Matthews) and her husband Scott of Virginia Beach, VA. He was very proud of his five grandchildren, James, Christopher and Sean Matthews and Caitlin and Matthew Fisher.
Also survived by a sister Regina Powers of Billerica, MA and her children Joseph Powers and Carrie Collins.
The family would like to thank the wonderful nurses and providers from the Veterans Administration in Bedford who provided wonderful care as his health declined.
Visiting hours will be held Tuesday, May 6, at the Sweeney Memorial Funeral Home, 66 Concord Rd., Billerica from 4 – 7 p.m. A Funeral Service will be held Wednesday, May 7, in the funeral home, at 11 a.m. Interment in Fox Hill Cemetery, Billerica.
In lieu of flowers, donations can be made in his name to the Jonathan E Reardon Memorial Scholarship Fund c/o Enterprise Bank 647 Boston Road Billerica, MA 01821.
Previous Events
Visitation
6
May
66 Concord Road
Billerica, MA 01821
Service
7
May
66 Concord Road
Billerica, MA 01821
Burial
7
May
130 Andover Rd.
Billerica, MA 01821
