Friends and colleagues are remembering Paul Mina as a giant of a man who spent more than 50 years — first at the Boys & Girls Club of Worcester and then at the United Way of Tri-County in Framingham — helping those in need.
Mina, 70, died on May 8 after an automobile accident.
For the past 30 years, Mina was president and executive director of the United Way of Tri-County, a 501(c)3 nonprofit that invests in "health, education, financial stability and basic human needs," according to its website. More recently, he helmed Mass211, which help residents connect with essential health and human services, before Eileen Davis took over at the start of this year.
“To me, Paul was more than those titles,” Hopedale Town Administrator Mitch Ruscitti said in a statement. “He was a friend and a mentor. He was a great husband, an excellent father (and grandfather!) — a gentle giant, and a testament to the grace of human compassion and empathy. As I sit here deeply struggling to write this, it occurs to me that one of the painful dichotomies of growing through adulthood is this: We are blessed to watch our children experience joy and navigate life, while also burdened with watching those who meant so much to us pass on.”
Mina worked with the Boys & Girls Club of Worcester from 1974-88, as both director of the Lincoln Square Boys Club and Camp Hargrove in Sterling. He met his wife, Noreen, while both worked at the Lincoln Square Boys Club. They had three children.
Mina also worked with the United Way of Worcester and the United Way of Assabet Valley before becoming executive director, president and CEO of the United Way of Tri-County in 1996.
Dedicated his career to helping others
“His loss has significantly impacted the organization, everyone is devasted,” said Davis, who knew Mina for nearly 40 years. “He was an amazing man. Some people shine too brightly to be forgotten. His whole professional career was dedicated to human services and helping others. He treated everyone with dignity and respect.”
The Rev. J. Anthony Lloyd, of the Greater Framingham Community Church and a member of the executive committee for the United Way of Tri-County, said Mina was a visionary, taking the United Way from an organization that supported other organizations to one that directly helped those in need.
“I think our United Way of Tri-County were ahead of ourselves because of Paul’s vision,” Lloyd said. “We moved over to doing direct services. Most United Ways are doing that now, but we were 10 years ahead of our time.”
Among the efforts Mina pushed forward included the Pearl Street Cupboard and Café in Framingham; the Marlborough Community Cupboard; Call2Talk and the MetroWest Community Garden.
“He was very humble,” Davis said. “You’d never think that he had accomplished all of this. He was never about being the center of attention — he was never saying, ‘Look at me, I did all of these things.’”
Mina 'always told you what you needed to hear'
When the United Way of Tri-County announced Mina’s death, tributes from United Ways throughout the state came pouring in.
“He was the only person who could call me ‘kid’ and get away with it,” said Michelle Hartman, executive director of the United Way of Greater New Bedford. “Somehow, coming from him, it always felt endearing, a reflection of the affection, humor and caring spirit he brought to every relationship. He was thoughtful and sincere, and also a straight shooter — someone who spoke honestly, led authentically, and always told you what you needed to hear with kindness and respect.
Mark Skala, executive director of the United Way of the Cape and Islands, said: “I only knew Paul for a short time, but I was in awe of his commitment to his neighbors and those in need. He was an inspiration to many of us with the United Way network. Our world was a better place for having him in it.
Marty Martinez, executive director of the United Way of Massachusetts Bay, added: “We are grateful for Paul’s impact, not only on individuals and families in the Tri-County region, but also across the Commonwealth through his leadership of Mass 211 and Call2Talk. As a longtime leader of United Way of Tri-County, Paul deeply believed in the power of what we can do together and epitomized what it means to put the community first.”
Treated those in need with dignity and respect
Lloyd said Mina had a way of making people feel respected when reaching out for services, something not everyone can do.
“I always appreciated that,” Lloyd said. “He always wanted those who were receiving help to have dignity with their receiving.”
Ruscitti shared a story that he said encapsulated how Mina treated others. He said Mina would often visit the Pearl Street Cupboard & Café so he could get to know clients. Mina also made sure staff members could see “the humanity” behind why they did the things they did.
“He once told me that shortly after the 2008 recession and market collapse, he noticed a single father coming in every evening with his young daughter — about the age mine are now,” Ruscitti said. “Naturally, Paul — being who he was — struck up a conversation with the father. The man explained that he had worked at EMC and had lost everything during the crash: his job, his savings and eventually his home. He and his daughter were surviving out of their car, and the café had become one of the only places they could reliably go for dinner.
“One evening, while Paul was visiting the café, the little girl ran up to him and proudly proclaimed, as only little children can, ‘I love my daddy, he always brings me to my favorite restaurant!’ Paul, perhaps a bit confused, smiled and asked her, “Oh? What restaurant is that?”
"Without hesitation, she replied, ‘This one.’ You see, the little girl did not fully comprehend the struggles her family was enduring. What she understood was that she was with her loving father, that she felt safe, and that she had a full belly in a warm and welcoming place.”
Mina’s calling hours will be from 5-7 p.m. on Thursday, May 21, at the O’Connor Brothers Funeral Home, 592 Park Ave., Worcester. The funeral will be at 11 a.m. Friday at St. Mary’s of Assumption Albanian Orthodox Church, 535 Salisbury St., Worcester. Burial will follow at St. John’s Cemetery, 260 Cambridge St., Worcester.