Paul Francis Irons, 79, of Berlin, passed away peacefully on March 27, 2026, at Clara's Garden Memory Care at The Gary Residence in Montpelier, in comfort and surrounded by love. A man of deep curiosity and intelligence, Paul leaves behind a legacy of self-reliance, community service, and belief in the goodness of others.

Born on September 3, 1946 in the second floor closet of a Derby Line farmhouse, Paul was the fifth of six children born to Francis and Lillian (Coutts) Irons. He liked to say he dropped out of high school to pursue his education. His early job as a typesetter for the Addison County Independent gave him both confidence and fortuitous knowledge: by proofreading medical journals as he set them into type, he acquired the background necessary to enlist in the U.S. Army during the Vietnam War as a neuropsychiatric specialist.

Upon returning to Vermont, Paul briefly operated a greenhouse business before finding his professional calling in real estate. As family lore tells it, he walked into Bear Pond Books, read the first chapter of a manual on real estate investment, and, deciding he got the gist of it, began building what would become an extensive portfolio of properties in central Vermont. He was a hands-on landlord for decades, tirelessly showing apartments, plunging toilets, replacing water heaters, and on one memorable occasion dealing with a pet python traveling in the plumbing.

Paul was deeply committed to the civic health of his community. He served on the Berlin Select Board and helped establish the Center for Arts and Learning in Montpelier. He provided temporary shelter for local victims of domestic violence. And his passion for restorative justice led to a certification in mediation and a longtime association with the Greater Barre Community Justice Center, helping former inmates navigate the transition back into society.

A lifelong music lover and enthusiastic performer, Paul was rarely without his harmonica and was a staple at local singalongs. He also adored driving and the open road; he rode his motorcycle as far as Nova Scotia and St. Louis, and was proud to have visited all of the 252 towns in Vermont on his Goldwing. Paul loved people and he loved hearing their stories, and combining interests he made it his goal to strike up a conversation with a stranger in each of the 252 towns - he was famously capable of hour-long conversations at any time and place.

Paul is survived by his wife of 48 years, Margaret "Peggy" Irons; his three sons, Jason, Jesse, and Josh Irons; and his sisters, Carol and Morgan. He was the proud grandfather of Charlie, Liam, Roan, Isabelle, and Ennis. A celebration of Paul’s life will be announced in the coming months. In lieu of flowers, the family requests that you honor Paul’s memory by sharing a story or anecdote of your time with him. These memories may be posted on his Facebook page or shared via the guestbook at the website for Guare & Sons Funeral Home.