Paul Elmer Rawlinson

Paul Elmer Rawlinson, 93, of Shrewsbury, Massachusetts, passed away on October 13, 2026, following a brief illness.

Raised by his parents, Margaret and Arthur Rawlinson, Paul developed an independence and curiosity that remained with him throughout his life. At the age of ten, he traveled by subway on his own to Boys' Latin School and enrolled himself in sixth grade. 

Paul graduated as valedictorian of Northeastern University's College of Engineering in 1957. He briefly taught at MIT before beginning his electrical engineering career. He spent most of his career at Raytheon, specializing in radar systems and serving as laboratory manager for the Wayland and Sudbury laboratories. 

A devoted father and grandfather, Paul had a strong sense of family and a deep love for his country. He served as a Boy Scout leader and was an avid student history, a lover of classical music, and a lifelong Boston Red Sox fan and season ticket holder. His intellect, generosity, kindness, and steadfast presence enriched the lives of those who knew him. 

He survived by his daughter, Victoria Fairchild Rawlinson of Franklin, Massachusetts; his son, William Lockwood Rawlinson, and daughter-in-law, Michelle Miano Rawlinson, of Ayer, Massachusetts; and his grandchildren, Marz Victori Rawlinson and Christopher Paul Rawlinson, also of Ayer. He was predeceased by his three brothers, James Arthur Rawlinson of California, and Walter Aloysius Rawlinson and Robert John Rawlinson, both of Massachusetts. 

A Celebration of Life Service will be held November 6, 2026, at 11:00a.m. at the Congregational Church of Littleton, MA

In lieu of flowers, the family request that memorial contributions be made to support student scholarships at his beloved Northeastern University. Please visit give.northeastern.edu to make an online gift in memory of Paul Rawlinson or mail a check payable to Northeastern University (Memo: In memory of Paul Rawlinson-- Scholarship) to Northeastern University, Suite 402CP, 360 Huntington Ave, Boston Massachusetts, 02115