Paul L. Sieswerda

Paul L. Sieswerda, a resident of Staten Island, NY and Stoneham, MA passed away peacefully with his sons by his side on Sunday, December 10, 2023 at the Kaplan Family Hospice House, at age 81.

Paul was born in Winchester on March 6, 1942, one of four children of the late John K. Sieswerda and Nellie (Foley) Sieswerda. He was raised in Malden where he graduated from Malden High School. He met his future wife of 51 years, Dorothy "Candi" Hilton while working at National Car Rental, and they shared a life of love, laughter, and great adventures together.

Paul was a force of nature. He was incredibly passionate about marine mammals and ocean life. He began working as a young volunteer at the New England Aquarium in Boston and worked his way up to become the Curator for Fishes and Mammals. After many years serving as Curator, Paul was then asked to move to New York to serve as Curator of the Coney Island Aquarium in Brooklyn, NY. Through his work, Paul traveled the world, advocating for ocean life and marine mammals and making contacts across Europe to further his research of marine life. He lived by the mantra "think globally, act locally" and his passions brought him across continents, always returning with new friends, new ideas, and even a walrus or a baby seal on occasion!

Although a well-known Curator with years of experience, Paul was most proud of the non-profit he founded in 2011, Gotham Whale which is one of the preeminent marine mammal organizations in the Northeast. He worked with incredible passion to further the research, advocacy and study of marine mammals in and around New York City. His work continues with Gotham Whale continuing to inspire the next generation of marine experts.

Smart, insightful, and well read, Paul was always developing new ideas and solutions for marine life. He was diligently working on a novel, "Stranded" which explained his theory for whale strandings. He also wrote "Big Whale, Big City" a children's book about whales in New York City, and served as literature and science expert for numerous publications.

Paul was a larger than life character who possessed a charming charisma, a keen eye for bringing people together to meet a common goal, and natural good humor. He commanded the respect of others, and was sought after for his depth of knowledge and judgment. He changed the trajectory of numerous lives through his inspiring life and subtle advice. He often repeated and passed onto his family his quote, “try to do every task with a sense of excellence; add flourish, if you can, to the simple things; and pick up the heavy end.” And Paul did. May he rest in peace.

Paul was the beloved husband of Dorothy M. (Hilton) “Candi” Sieswerda with whom he shared 51 years of marriage. Life partner to Bonnie Crawford of KY. Devoted father of Steven D. Sieswerda and his wife Missy of Elizabethtown, KY,  Paul J. Sieswerda and his wife Lindsay of Malden, and the late Jeffrey S. Sieswerda. Dear brother of the late Ruth Riley, David Sieswerda, and John Sieswerda. Loving grandfather of Canon Sieswerda, Emory Sieswerda, Paul Sieswerda, Stephanie Sieswerda, David Amos and his wife Danica, Harper Amos, Carter Amos, John Amos and his wife Lindsey, Brittney Amos, Lauren Huber and her husband Michael, and Joshua Amos.

Relatives and friends are invited to gather in honor of Paul’s life for Visiting Hours at the Robinson Funeral Home, 809 Main St., Melrose on Thursday, Dec. 14 from 9-11am, followed by a Celebration of his Life at 11am. In lieu of flowers, continue Paul’s impact on marine mammals through a legacy gift honoring his life’s work at Gotham Whale, www.gothamwhale.org For online tribute, visit www.RobinsonFuneralHome.com