If, over the years, you rode public transportation to or from Belmont, you would have been lucky to get a seat next to Fred Paulsen.
The gregarious resident enjoyed getting to know people—from strangers to colleagues or friends—and making connections. He died on Aug. 15, at age 92, after living a life dedicated to his family and contributing to his beloved hometown.
The Paulsen family will hold a memorial service for him on Sept. 27 at All Saints’ Church in Belmont.
“Fred had a remarkable personality,” said his wife of 61 years, Anne Paulsen.
Both played important roles in municipal government: Fred, a lawyer, was a School Committee member for nine years, a Town Meeting member for 62 years, and worked as a coordinator at Precinct 1 during elections. In 1986, Anne became the first woman to serve on the Select Board and served more than a decade on Beacon Hill. She said when her husband discussed challenging projects or issues, he was calm, didn’t squabble, and strove to listen to all sides.
“He enjoyed the give-and-take at the Town Meeting,” said Anne.
“My father really believed in conversation,” said his daughter, Julia Paulsen Mullin, the eldest of four children.
Mullin’s parents moved to Minneapolis a year ago to be closer to her as Fred’s health was declining.
Working for a Better Future
Recalling how dedicated her father was to municipal government, Mullin said, “He really cared about what was happening around him.”
During his impressive tenure, he fought for changes he felt would benefit Belmont and its residents.
Under his School Committee chairmanship, Belmont became a Metropolitan Council for Educational Opportunity (METCO) partner district in 1970. METCO is a state-funded program that aims “to expand educational opportunities, increase diversity, and reduce racial isolation by permitting students from Boston to attend public schools in other communities that have agreed to participate,” according to its website.
Another landmark of his time on the committee was the construction of a new high school. Anne said Fred helped convince Town Meeting that the facility should include a pool and skating rink, even though “there was a lot of opposition” at the time.
He also pushed for an improved music program and worked hard to be sure the schools had enough funding, among other efforts.
Mullin said her father also “cared a lot about conservation and open space.”
As a family, they enjoyed Belmont’s natural amenities and went hiking and biking, among other activities.
“He wanted Belmont to be bike-friendly,” she said, recalling that instead of driving, he’d wear a suit and dress shoes when biking to work.
Fred and other townspeople strove to preserve open space on Belmont Hill, according to Anne.
He was proud to have helped with that complicated effort, which “was certainly a gift to the town,” she said.
Getting out the vote
In addition to being a married father of four, working as a lawyer, and contributing to municipal government over the decades, Fred had a passion for getting out the vote on the local, state and national level, even stumping for Democrats in New Hampshire.
According to Anne, Fred loved “artfully persuading” people when he engaged them in conversation on political issues.
He was passionate about the election process and “getting people to vote,” said Mullin.
If his preferred candidate didn’t win, however, “he would take a loss in stride,” move on, and look toward the future, she said.
“He was a real optimist,” said Mullin, who would like him to be remembered for his kindness, generosity and friendliness.
When asked how she wanted her husband to be remembered, Anne said he was a person who enjoyed his life, worked hard, and enjoyed all the steps in making decisions in Belmont.
“He was not only contributing to the town, he was having fun,” she said.
The memorial service honoring Fred Paulsen will be held at 11 a.m. on Sept. 27 at All Saints’ Church, 17 Clark St., Belmont.
