Paul M. Kane (79) of Wellesley, MA passed away Monday after a sudden brief illness. He will be remembered by all who knew him as a devoted husband, proud Naval Officer, doting father and grandfather who led by example and love, brilliant attorney, dedicated teacher, thoughtful mentor, and generous friend who brought loyalty and humor to those who had the privilege of knowing him.

Born in Brighton, MA in 1942, he was a son of the late Martin Kane and Dorothy (Devereux) Kane. He was predeceased by his brother John. He was the devoted husband for 56 years to Ellen (Ennis) Kane, who was by his side when he peacefully passed away. He was the beloved father of Martin Kane (Amy) of Wellesley, Meg Middleton (John) of Bethesda, MD and Mary Liz Ganley (Joe) also of Wellesley. He was the adored "Buppers" to his six grandchildren, Ellen and Jack Middleton, Katherine and Marty Kane, and Maggie and Bobby Ganley. He spoiled every one of them. He was uncle to Christine Morganelli of Stoughton, MA, Marnee Saltalamacchia of Rhode Island, John Ennis of California, Patrick Ennis and Billy Ennis of Texas, and Joe Ennis and Erin Ennis of Somerville, MA.

Paul graduated from Boston Latin School (1960), Boston College (A.B., 1964), and Boston College Law School (J.D., 1970). From 1964 to 1967 he served as a Lieutenant in the United States Navy assigned during the Vietnam War as Operations Officer onboard the U.S.S. Tioga County LST 1158. Paul maintained lifelong friendships with so many of his classmates and fellow servicemen.

Paul was the Senior Partner and Managing Principal of McGrath and Kane, a law firm in Boston. Throughout his career he represented clients in many high profile, high conflict cases before the Massachusetts Probate and Family Court, the Massachusetts Appeals Court and the Supreme Judicial Court. He was widely regarded as a preeminent expert on issues of probate and family law and the valuation of closely held business entities.

Paul was an Assistant Dean of Boston College Law School from 1970 to 1977. A lifelong educator, he taught at Boston College from 1970 through 2010, Suffolk University Law School from 2006 through 2016, and many continuing legal education programs and bar associations, where he delighted his audience with his presence, deep voice, humor and brilliant command of family law. As a member of the Committee on Curriculum Policy at Massachusetts Continuing Legal Education for nearly 20 years, he drove continuing legal education to a high level of competency. Paul, and his late partner Robert F. McGrath, began the Family Law Trial Skills program, which program continues to train scores of attorneys in the art of trial practice.

As an attorney, Paul was welcome in any court room in Massachusetts. A model of civility and keen knowledge, he brought intellectual theory to the practice of family law. He was respected by both judges and attorneys. Trial practice and a command of the rules of evidence were his calling cards. No one could examine a witness as completely in a courtroom. Paul's conduct was above reproach, acting at all times with genuine civility. Since his knowledge was his power, he relied only on his complete preparation and research of issues, especially business valuation. The family law bar has lost a brilliant mind whose insistence upon and adherence to the highest standards of ethical and professional representation will be carried on at his firm.

Paul was a fellow of the American Academy of Matrimonial Lawyers. He was a member of the Association of Family and Conciliation Courts, the Massachusetts Bar Association, the Middlesex County Bar Association, and the Massachusetts Family and Probate Inns of Court. Paul was a member of the Fellows of Boston College Law School and served as President from 1989 to 1992. He served as a member of the Board of Overseers, Boston College Law School since 2005. Since 2003, he served on the Board of Advisors of Senior Partners for Justice. Since 2009, he has served as a Member of the Board of Directors and Finance Committee for Franciscan Children's. In 2010, Paul received The Scholar-Mentor Lifetime Achievement Award from M.C.L.E. In 2011, Paul was awarded The Gideon Trumpet Award (Commitment for Access to Justice) from Senior Partners for Justice and the Volunteer Lawyers Project. In 2012, Paul received The Holland Lifetime Achievement Award from Boston College Law School. Paul was very proud to be listed in the Irish Voice, and included in the Irish Legal 100, a compilation of the most distinguished legal professionals in the United States who share one common bond: pride in their Irish roots.

Calling Hours will be held on Friday, September 17 from 4:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. at St. John the Evangelist Church, 9 Glen Road in Wellesley Hills.

A Mass of Christian Burial will be held at St. John the Evangelist Church on Saturday, September 18 at 11:00 am. Interment will be private.

Masks are respectfully requested at the Calling Hours and Mass. For those unable to attend, an online guestbook is available to sign at www.BurkeFamilyFuneralHomes.com.

The funeral will also be broadcast live via St. John the Evangelist Church at https://sjspwellesley.org/sj/live/

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to: Franciscan Children's Hospital, 30 Warren Street, Brighton, MA 02135 www.franciscanchildrens.org.