AUBURN- Paul J. Bento of Auburn passed away at his home on Friday August 12, 2016 at the age of 73.

He was born in Fall River, MA son of the late Joseph and Mary (Murphy) Bento. Paul graduated from De LaSalle Academy in Newport, RI. He later graduated from Providence College with a B.S. in Physics and holds a M.S. in Physics from Syracuse University. He also was involved in graduate studies at Loyola University, Framingham State College and Fitchburg State College in science, school administration and curriculum.

Paul began his career in education in 1964 as a science teacher at Hopkinton High School. He was instrumental in securing federal funding for a variety of academic programs which he developed. The experience proved invaluable to him as Joseph P. Keefe Technical School’s first academic coordinator when the school opened in 1973.

Paul served as academic coordinator in distinction until 1986 when he was appointed as Superintendent-Director. Some of Paul’s noteworthy accomplishments during the tenure as Superintendent were to expand the School District, implement major building renovations and successfully gain budget approval for each of the district towns for seventeen consecutive years.

Paul is a past president of the Massachusetts Association of Vocational Administrators. He was a member of the Massachusetts Association of School Superintendents, American Association of School Administrators, Massachusetts Workforce Investment Board, Metro Southwest Regional Employment Board, New England Association of School and Colleges, Metro West Economic Research Center, Hopkinton Education Foundation, United Way of Tri-County and Board Member of the Framingham Municipal Credit Union for 30 years.

After retirement from Keefe Tech, Paul was appointed by the New England Association of Schools and Colleges as Director of the Commission of Technical and Career Institutions, a position he held for ten years. In 2014, Paul was the proud recipient of the Dr. David F. Cronin Award from the Massachusetts Association of Vocational Administrators for Paul’s dedication and support to improving vocational technical education.

Along with his love of teaching and vocational education, Paul was an avid stamp collector for sixty one years.

Paul is survived by his wife of fifty two years, Susan (Hart) Bento; two sons both successful graduates of Keefe Tech, Bryan R. Bento of Ashland and David T, Bento of Medfield; four grandchildren, Michele (Bento) Manganello, Amy (Bento) Duffy, William Bento and Jonathan Bento; two great grandchildren, Connor and Molly Duffy; two nieces and five nephews. He was predeceased by his brothers, John, Joseph, William and Robert and his sister, Mary and nephew, Tom Blake.

A celebration of Paul’s wonderful life will take place on Sunday, August 21, 2016 from 2:00-4:00PM in the BRITTON-WALLACE FUNERAL HOME, 91 Central Street, Auburn with a Service of Remembrance beginning at 4:00pm. In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be sent to Boston Healthcare for the Homeless Program, 780 Albany St, Boston, MA 02118 or to Jewish Healthcare Hospice, 629 Salisbury St, Worcester, MA 01609. To leave a note of condolence for Paul’s family or to visit his Book of Memories, please visit, www.brittonfuneralhomes.com.