Paul A. Nevins

Portsmouth - Paul Alan Nevins, 66, of Portsmouth, passed away suddenly on Monday, March 9, 2026. Born in Boston, MA, on September 6, 1959, Paul was the son of the late James L. and Mabel (Rose) Nevins. He was raised in Burlington, MA, and graduated from Burlington High School. Paul’s parents were both engineers, with Mabel working in the chemical industry and Jim contributing to the Apollo Space Program. In conjunction with Jim’s career at the Charles Stark Draper Laboratory, Jim and Mabel traveled often with Paul and his elder brothers, Gary and Steven. Jim and Mabel later established a house on Black Cat Island in Lake Winnipesaukee, where Paul enjoyed many seasons with family. Paul met Eleanor, his wife of 42 years, through their mutual lifelong friends Jeff and Marie Flannery of Woburn, MA. In 1990, they moved to Portsmouth, where they built a home and a life, maintaining widespread connections to their community. Here they raised their two children, Morgan and Travis. Paul guided his family with firm hugs and reminders to never be bound by the limitations of others. He encouraged them to dream big, work hard, and play hard. He gained notoriety for his elaborate birthday cakes, and for escorting his children trick-or-treating with an icepick in hand. For Travis and Morgan, he was their fiercest advocate and offered unconditional love–to the moon and back, as he would say. A natural problem solver, Paul spent over 20 years traveling the world as an oil terminal manager, field inspector, and marine expediter. Paul engaged in mutual aid activities for regional maritime security, emergency response management, and chemical spill prevention for Boston Harbor and the Piscataqua River. Paul was accustomed to scaling tankers, collaborating with vessels and crews around the globe, and was trained in how to escape a helicopter underwater. Most recently, he worked for the City of Portsmouth as a maintenance worker—a role he chose to spend more time with his family. Paul was a proud trail crew alumnus of the Appalachian Mountain Club in the White Mountains, serving from 1975 to 1980. He was a lifelong lover of the outdoors, be it winter mountaineering, white water kayaking, skiing, or scuba diving. Paul passed this love on to his children. Teaching through experience, he would carry them on his back through any activity, from shoveling snow off a roof to climbing a mountain. Paul had a natural spark for adventure and a wild, dynamic spirit. He could cause his family to howl with laughter and, at times, respectfully question his sanity. His family and friends knew he would always go above and beyond. His warmth, unique sense of humor, and deep dedication to his family will be remembered forever. The gift of his presence was deeply felt and he will be deeply missed. We will forever look for him in the breeze on a hike or a strong ocean wave. Paul was the son of the late Mabel (Rose) and James L. Nevins; brother to Steven and the late James Gary Nevins of Burlington, MA; nephew to June (Rose) Kennedy of Milton, MA and the late Doris (Rose) Beliveau. Paul was a beloved husband to Eleanor (Newell) Nevins of Portsmouth, NH; father to Morgan Nevins of Brooklyn, NY and Travis Nevins of Portsmouth, NH. Paul was a son-in-law to Malcolm and the late Barbara (Strangman) Newell of Billerica, MA, and brother-in-law to Susane Newell; Nancy and Mark Bockus of Wilmington, MA; Holly and John Ballam of Billerica. He was uncle to Nicole Bockus of Wilmington, MA; Brenton Bockus of Los Angeles, CA; Rachel Nevins of Boulder, Colorado; and Peyton and Greer Ballam of Billerica, MA. All services will be private. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to: Shriners Children’s Attn: Shriners Children's PO Box 947765 Atlanta, GA 30394 Donate online here Guide Dog Foundation for the Blind, Inc. 371 East Jericho Turnpike Smithtown, NY 11787-2976 Donate online here

Paul A. Nevins

September 6, 1959 - March 9, 2026