Saturday, June 3, 2006, Paul W. Stetson of Paradise Water Gardens, Ltd, Whitman, Massachusetts USA passed away at 83 years of age.

Paul always appeared as a happy person, known for his ready smile, great sense of humor, and his deep knowledge and love of waterlilies and water gardening.

As a returning veteran of World War II, he turned his early fascination with waterlilies into a successful water garden enterprise of international fame. He and his family won prestigious awards for their water garden displays at the Boston Flower Show.

Paul was a Founding Member and a long time Director of the International Waterlily and Water Garden Society (IWGS) and a Charter Member of Water Gardeners International. He regularly attended IWGS annual meetings in the USA and abroad until a few years ago when a heart attack prevented him from traveling.

Paul loved to travel around USA and the world searching for different aquatic plants wherever he went. He and Perry Slocum maintained a special bond; he often referred to Perry as his “father.” They sometimes traveled together, including at least one trip to Australia. Paul was also a popular speaker who visited many organizations to speak about water gardening.

His wife Evelyn, children (Paul, Jr., Ann Thompson, Cheryl Quaglia, and Patricia Donovan), six grandchildren, and countless friends will miss Paul.

Blanchard Funeral Chapel maintains an email guestbook that you are invited to sign at http://www.legacy.com/SouthOfBoston-Enterprise/GuestBook.asp

Charles B. Thomas

Note. I met Paul about 50 years ago, and this summer I plan to write a brief biography about him.