Paul F. Rev. Dr. Bliss

Dr. Paul Franklin Bliss, 98 of Wakefield Rhode Island passed away at South County Hospital in Wakefield, Rhode Island on December 2, 2014. Reverend Bliss was a highly respected and loved member of many communities and church families. He was thought to be a man for all churches and all church seasons. Paul was born in Springfield Massachusetts on May 27, 1916 to Charles and Nettie Bliss of Cranston Rhode Island. He came from Massachusetts to Rhode Island by way of Philadelphia. After graduation from University of Rhode Island he continued his education at Meadville Theological School at the University of Chicago. His first pastoring assignment was in Saco Maine. He also served as the Associate Conference Minister for all churches in Maine. His second church was in Somerville Massachusetts where he had the distinction of having the first black man as the associate pastor in 1946. From Massachusetts, Paul went to Oakridge Tennessee, and helped found a church which is now one of the largest churches in Tennessee. He pastored there for over 4 years. At this time his career took a slightly different turn when he was hired by Goodyear Atomic Energy to develop housing for 3500 people in Piketon, Ohio. He was then appointed head of community and public relations for Goodyear Atomic Energy. He then moved on to work for the Presbyterian Church USA to help raise funds in excess of 68 million dollars. This accomplishment led him to become the first fundraiser for the Campfire Girls of America, headquartered in New York City. During this time he lived in Fairfield, Connecticut, where he became a member of the Fairfield Association of Congregational Churches. With his experience in fundraising, Paul founded Bliss Associates which included brick and mortar fundraising, public relations, advertising and community relations. Substantial clients included the Rhode Island Conference of United Congregational Churches, Washington Trust Company, the American Baptist Churches of Rhode Island, the Greek Orthodox Church in Newton Massachusetts, and the Red Cross. Along the way Paul got a real estate license so that he could do appraisals for churches. During all his career Paul never left the Congregational Church and served at most of the United Congregational Churches in Rhode Island. As an elder of the Rhode Island Mayflower Society and the International Mayflower Society, Paul was asked to preach in the old church in Plymouth, Massachusetts. Among his other activities and affiliations he served as the President Ameritus for the Rhode Island Council on Aging, and tirelessly worked for the New England Division of AARP. Paul is preceded in death by his loving wife of 76 years, Marjorie Briggs-Bliss, brothers Milton and Stanley, and his sister Marion. Paul is survived by his devoted son Peter Franklin Bliss, and his wife Deborah Emmans- Bliss of Monroe, North Carolina. Also surviving Paul are his twin grandsons Matthew Dennett Bliss and his wife Jennifer Bliss, and Patrick Franklin Bliss and his wife Melissa Bliss, all of Concord, North Carolina. His four great grandchildren are Ayden, Ian and Annika (children of Matthew and Jennifer) and Jordan (daughter of Patrick and Melissa). Paul is also survived by his special friend and companion Marjorie S. Hunt, and his faithful friends Clark Bridgeman and Connie and Dan Thornton, as well as so many others that were part of his life. A memorial service will be held at Peace Dale Congregational Church, 101 Columbia St. Peace Dale, Rhode Island on Saturday, January 3, 2015, 11:00 am with Reverend Paul Bizer, Reverend Daechler Hayes and Reverend David Dobbins officiating. A private family interment ceremony will take place at the columbarium of Peace Dale Congregational Church prior to the memorial service. In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to Home & Hospice Care of Rhode Island, 1085 North Main St. Providence, Rhode Island 02904. The family wishes to extend their gratitude to the caring staff of Home & Hospice Care of Rhode Island, and the staff of the Scallop Shell Nursing and Rehabilitation Center for their caring and compassion during Paul’s final days.