Paul J. Smyth, Lieutenant, Braintree Fire Department, age 64, of Braintree and formerly of Quincy, died peacefully on Thursday, May 21, 2026, in the comfort of his home, surrounded by his loving family.

Paul was born and raised in Quincy to the late Barbara L. (Calderara) Smyth and John R. “Paul” Smyth, Jr. He was a graduate of Quincy High School, Class of 1979. It was there that Paul met his beloved wife, Barbara J. “Barbie” (Johnson) Smyth. Married for the past forty years — and together for fifty years — Paul and Barbie shared a wonderful life devoted to one another.

A true family man, Paul’s life was centered around his wife and children. Paul was the loving father of Gregory P. Smyth and his wife, Kirsten, of Boston; Rebecca L. Nguyen and her husband, Andre, of Braintree; and Amanda M. Devlin and her husband, Keith, of Holbrook. He cherished becoming Nono to his five beautiful grandchildren, Sadie, Summer, Eloise, Theo, and Charlotte.

Paul was the dear brother of Sharon L. McGarty and her husband, Michael, of Braintree, and Gary A. Smyth, Interim Chief of the Quincy Fire Department, and his partner, Annie Croft, of Weymouth. Paul loved his nieces and nephews as if they were his own children.

Paul lived a true life of service. He proudly served as a firefighter with the Braintree Fire Department. He was appointed to the department on July 1, 1996, promoted to Lieutenant in June 2019, and previously served as Union President of Local 920. Throughout his thirty-year career, he served at all of Braintree’s stations and finished his career assigned to the neighborhood he proudly called home, the Braintree Highlands.

He also successfully owned and operated his own landscaping business, which he started in his teenage years. It was a fitting profession for an active man who loved the outdoors. Paul enjoyed trips to Florida, golfing, skiing, and attending concerts with friends and family. His greatest passion was ice hockey and he cherished his time playing in the South Coastal Hockey League.

Above all, Paul will be remembered for his impeccable character. He touched many lives simply by being a great man and caring friend.

In addition to his family, Paul is survived by extended family members, colleagues who became dear friends, and, importantly, many lifelong friends whom he truly adored.

Visiting Hours will be held at the Sweeney Brothers Home for Funerals, 1 Independence Avenue, Quincy, on Tuesday, May 26, from 3 – 7 p.m. Relatives and friends are invited to attend. A Funeral Mass will be celebrated in Saint John the Baptist Church, 44 School Street, Quincy, on Wednesday, May 27, at 10 a.m. Interment to follow at Braintree Cemetery.

For those who wish, donations in Paul’s memory may be made to the Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, P.O. Box 849168, Boston, MA 02284-9168 or www.dana-farber.org.