Paul Deary’s love and dedication to basketball ranks him among the all-time leaders in that sport at Bartlett High School.

He was a varsity team member for three years, from his sophomore year through his senior year, when he was team captain.

It was during that senior year, 1941, when he scored 288 points for the season. The forward helped lead the team to a 21-3 mark during the ’41 campaign. The team registered two wins apiece over Fitchburg, Worcester Commerce, Tourtellotte, St. Louis., and traditional rival, Mary Wells of Southbridge.

At the end of the most impressive season, the team was invited to play in the Western Massachusetts Tournament. The Indians beat Adams High, 44-27, in the prelims, but barely missed the title game when it dropped a close encounter to Drury High, 37-35, in a semifinal round game.

He was rated by legendary basketball coach, George Finnegan, as a Finnegan “First Team Player” during the 1920’s, 1930’s, and 1940’s at Bartlett High School.

Paul also used his athleticism on the gridiron and diamond, playing varsity football in his junior and senior years and varsity baseball in his senior year.

After graduation, Paul attended Worcester Academy for a year and had plans to attend college. However, he surprised his family one day by telling them he had signed up for the Army Air Corps and that he would be leaving soon for training.

Paul became a lieutenant and navigator of a B—17. Tragically, he was killed in combat action over Germany during World War II when his plane crashed on November 21, 1944.