Paul Niver Fimbel

Paul Niver Fimbel, age 101, died at home on Wednesday, May 20, 2015, surrounded by his family. In November, as the oldest resident of Hollis, he became the holder of the Boston Post Cane. The son of the late Edward and Carlotta (Niver) Fimbel, he was born on October 6, 1913, in Newark, N.J. In 1956, he married Janet Chandler, who was his best friend and the love of his life; they shared 55 years together until she passed away in 2011. He never got over that loss.

Paul graduated in 1932 from Columbia High School in Maplewood, N.J. and went on to earn a Bachelor of Science degree in Civil Engineering from Stevens Institute of Technology in Hoboken, N.J. in 1936. While at Stevens, he was a member of the Sigma Kappa fraternity.

After graduation, he taught Civil Engineering at Stevens for two years and then went to Detroit, Michigan, where he worked in the construction division of Detroit Edison.

Returning to Hillside, NJ during World War II, he joined his father in the family business, Overhead Door Corporation, manufacturing garage and hangar doors. A member of the American Society of Mechanical Engineers, he served on the Plainfield (N.J.) Section Executive Committee from 1944-1951, including a term as president from 1948-1949. A licensed professional engineer in both N.H. and N.J., he maintained his membership in the ASME for approximately 75 years.

In the early 1950s, Paul moved to Hollis, N.H. to run the Nashua division of the Overhead Door Company until 1968, when the family separated from Overhead and opened as the Fimbel Door Corporation, with manufacturing plants in both N.H. and N.J. He established Fimbel Paunet Corporation in 1993, where he served as Chairman of the Board.

Throughout his life, Paul was involved in a variety of civic organizations. As a young man, he was a member of the Roseville, N.J. chapter of the DeMolay and later was Sunday School Superintendent at the Methodist Church in Maplewood, N.J. After moving to N.H., he became a member of the Hollis Congregational Church, where he served on the Board of Trustees for some time, as well as the 1963 building expansion committee and with his wife belonged to several church social groups. More recently, he also frequently attended the Merrimack Valley Baptist Church with his son and daughter-in-law.

Mr. Fimbel was a 45-year member of the Nashua Country Club, where he enjoyed curling and golfing. He and his wife were members of the Hollis Apple Squares square dancing club and founding members of the Granite State Curling Club. A lover of the outdoors, he also enjoyed fishing and skiing in his early years and gardening and hiking throughout his life. His gift of land to Beaver Brook Association in Hollis helped extend their nature trails. The last surviving member of the “Happy Travelers” club of Hollis, he traveled with his wife and local friends throughout Europe and the Western United States.

Survivors include two sons and their wives, P. Michael and Zoe Fimbel of Mont Vernon, and Carl and Betty Fimbel of Brookline; two daughters, Deborah Shipman of Hollis and Dr. Nancie Fimbel and her husband, Edward VanDeman, of Mountain View, CA; and a daughter-in-law, Linda Knight of Alabama. Paul also leaves 17 grandchildren; 14
great-grandchildren; a brother and sister-in-law, Edward and Barbara Fimbel of New Jersey; and many nieces and nephews.

Mr. Fimbel was predeceased by his sister, Ruth Laubach; a daughter, Barbara Fimbel; and a son, Chandler Knight.

The family wishes to thank the many excellent health care professionals and dedicated companions who not only cared for him but also became special friends to him.

SERVICES: Calling hours will be Tuesday, May 26th from 5-8 pm at the Davis Funeral Home, 1 Lock Street, Nashua. A funeral service will be held on Wednesday, May 27th at 10 a.m. at the funeral home. A family-only interment will follow the service, and all are invited to a reception at Paul’s home at 45 Love Lane in Hollis. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to Beaver Brook Association, 117 Ridge Road, Hollis, N.H. 03049 or to a charity of one’s choice. The DAVIS FUNERAL HOME, One Lock St., Nashua, has been placed in charge of arrangements. An online guest book is available at www.davisfuneralhomenh.com, (603-883-3401)
“ONE MEMORY LIGHTS ANOTHER.”