Paul E. Penley ’56

Paul Eugene Penley passed away on Thursday, October 5, 2023. He was born in Lewiston, ME on August 30, 1935, the son of the late Clarence E. and Ethelyn (Odell) Penley. Paul graduated from Edward Little High School in Auburn, ME in July 1953. He continued his education at Maine Maritime Academy, in Castine, ME and graduated with a Bachelor of Marine Science degree, a U.S. Coast Guard Third Engineer license and a commission in the U.S. Naval Reserve in June 1956.

He married his high school sweetheart, Marjorie (Booth) Penley on June 24, 1956, just five days before reporting for his first tour of sea duty in the Navy. Sadly, she passed away in 2014, after 58 years of married bliss.

Paul served on various ships and shore duty during his Naval career including a one-year tour of duty in Vietnam. After leaving the Navy in 1967, with the rank of Lieutenant, Paul commenced his civilian career at Electric Boat Division of General Dynamics in Groton, CT from which he retired in 1996.

Survivors include his children, Scott Penley and his wife Imelda of Lexington, KY, David Penley and his wife Robin of Woodenville, WA, and daughter Lisa Currier and her husband Ward of Griswold, CT; also, two grandsons, Jonathan Penley and his wife Jacqui of Groton, CT and Jordan Penley of Raleigh-Durham, NC; two granddaughters, Dana Currier of Griswold, CT and Allison Penley of Seattle, WA; four great granddaughters and three great grandsons; a sister, Phyllis Jones of Peabody, MA; sister-in-law, Pauline Penley of Auburn, ME, and many nieces and nephews. In addition to his wife and his parents, Paul was predeceased by a brother, Charles Penley, and granddaughters Lauren Jean Penley and Elizabeth (Currier) Heck.

Paul enjoyed many hobbies including, needlecraft projects, rug making, woodworking, and yard work. He was a self-proclaimed do-it-yourself handyman. His greatest achievement, with the help form his family, was the construction of a three-bedroom home in the 1980’s. Paul was a dedicated member of the Preston City Congregational Church and a member of the North Stonington Community Grange, P. of H. No. 1338.