Michael J. Paolella, 77, of Wareham, passed away on May 8, 2026, at Rhode Island Hospital in Providence, Rhode Island. He was the beloved husband of Louise A. (Boissoneau) Paolella, with whom he shared 57 years of marriage.
Born in Queens, New York, Michael was the son of the late Dominick and Rose (Barberine) Paolella. He proudly served his country as a Vietnam War veteran in the United States Air Force.
Michael spent his career at the United States Postal Service, retiring as Manager of Resource Management. Along the way, he led the team that built the agency’s first digital HR software program and rolled it out nationally.
But the work that brought him the most joy came after he retired. Michael poured himself into his community on the South Coast of Massachusetts and gave it decades of his time.
He founded the Middleboro Youth Soccer League (MYSL) and secured the land and funding for the town’s youth sports fields. He coached in MYSL and Mariner Youth Soccer, taking teams from each to the Massachusetts Tournament of Champions, and at the high school level at Middleboro from 1985 to 1987 and at Old Rochester from 2017 to 2026, carrying more than a few teams to the playoffs (and more than a few snacks to the bench). When he wasn’t coaching, he was refereeing soccer and lacrosse across the South Coast and training the officials who came up behind him.
He was the Assistant Harbor Master in Marion, a first responder on the water and a boating safety instructor on land. He led volunteers at Damien’s Place Food Pantry and cooked breakfast for the Rochester Council on Aging. And he was a fixture in the stands at Old Rochester Regional games, the loudest Bulldogs fan in the building.
To those who knew him best, Michael was steady and dependable. He showed up for the people he loved, every time, without needing the credit. His family knew they could count on him for guidance, a hand with something practical, or just his quiet presence in the room (especially all the times he fell asleep on the couch).
He was tough when he needed to be, and never far from the people who needed him.
Above all, Michael’s greatest pride was his family.
He was a devoted husband, father, grandfather, brother, and friend. He built his life around the people he loved, and his presence will be deeply felt in the stories, memories, and values he leaves behind.
He is survived by his wife, Louise A. (Boissoneau) Paolella; his children, Tina Rood and her husband, Hal, of Falmouth, Karrie Perry and her husband, Matt, of Castle Rock, Colorado, and Amanda Young and her husband, Rich, of Daniel Island, South Carolina; his nine grandchildren, Troy (and his husband, Oti), Kyle, Megan, Brett, Julia, Ethan, Owen, Gavin, and Quin; and his siblings, D.J. Paolella and his wife, DeDe, Ricky Paolella and his wife, Karen, and Susan Schmitz. He is also survived by his beloved dog, Daisy.
Visiting hours will be held from 4 to 7 pm on Wednesday, May 20, 2026, at Chapman Funerals & Cremations – Wareham, 2599 Cranberry Highway, Wareham. A memorial service will be held at 11:30 am on Thursday, May 21, 2026, at Chapman Funerals & Cremations – Wareham, 2599 Cranberry Hwy., Wareham.
In lieu of flowers, donations in Michael’s memory may be made to a few causes he loved: Old Rochester High School Boys Soccer (ORR Booster Club, Attn: Boys Soccer, PO Box 192, Mattapoisett, MA 02739), Damien’s Place Food Pantry, or the Rochester Council on Aging.
Michael’s family will carry forward his strength, his love, and the steady example he set every day.
To share a memory or leave a message of condolence, visit www.chapmanfuneral.com.
