Paul H. Gully, Jr., 70, passed away peacefully at home under the loving care of his family on Sunday, January 8, 2017 after an illness. Born and raised in Worcester, Paul was the son of the late Paul H. and Lillian (Grazulis) Gully and lived 43 years in Sterling.

Paul graduated from North High School in Worcester and held a Bachelor of Science degree from Worcester State College. In 1968, while vacationing in Falmouth with friends, he met and fell in love with a young lady from Arlington by the name of Judy Berry. Paul and Judy married on November 20, 1971 at Our Lady of Pity Church in Cambridge. They resided in Worcester for the next three years before settling in Sterling where they raised their two sons.

After starting his own recycling in company in 1976, Paul realized he never wanted to work for someone else again. He has owned several successful businesses since, and for the last 21 years has owned and operated Quality ChairVan, Inc. in Worcester. He started Quality ChairVan with just one van. Today, the company has over 20 vans and 30 employees.

Aside from work, Paul had two real passions. The first was golf. One of his favorite pastimes included vacationing with his family at their Sunset Beach home in North Carolina where he was able to perfect his game. Throughout his golfing career, Paul was credited for seven holes-in-one; five of which he received at the Haven Country Club where he was an active member. Paul’s other great joy was his family. Friends recall how he often spoke of his wife and children, and how proud and lucky he was. He indulged his family each year in a ski trip and they, in turn, indulged him in a yearly trip to Disney World.  He also loved to travel.  Although the last year presented many health challenges for Paul, he found the strength and energy to live to the fullest. He traveled with Judy and their friends to Russia, took three trips to Florida, and a final trip to his beloved Ireland.

Paul will be affectionately missed and remembered by his loving wife of 46 years, Judith L. (Berry) Gully; two sons, Todd M. Gully and his wife, Amber of Leicester and Brian J. Gully of San Francisco, California; and three grandchildren, Gage, Gia, and Ty. Besides his parents, Paul is predeceased by his sister, Patricia Peoples.

Relatives and friends are invited to visit with Paul’s family from 5 to 8 pm on Friday, January 13, 2017 at the Miles-Sterling Funeral and Tribute Center, 100 Worcester Rd., Sterling. A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated at 11 am on Saturday, January 14, at St. Richard of Chichester Church, 4 Bridge St., Sterling.

In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to Dr. James Cleary’s Research Fund at Dana Farber Cancer Institute, P.O. Box 849168, Boston, MA 02884-9168 in memory of Paul Gully.