Paul J. Fox, Jr., 73, of Cranston peacefully passed away at home surrounded by his family on May 21, 2025. PJ, as he was affectionately known, was the husband of Wendy (Baltzer) Fox for 49 wonderful years and was the son of the late Paul J. and Marian E. (Halligan) Fox.
He was a graduate of Our Lady of Providence, Class of 1970 and Providence College, Class of 1974. He worked with his dad, PJ Fox, Sr., at the family business, the PJ Fox Paper Company, and eventually took the reins as president. Later in his career, he worked in insurance and finally at the Internal Revenue Service.
PJ was a member of many civic, professional and religious organizations, including the Friendly Sons of St. Patrick and Sons of Irish Kings. He was a former commissioner of the Cranston Redevelopment Agency. He was also a member and past President of the Rotary Club of Providence and the first president of the board of the Genesis Center in Providence. He received the Paul Harris Award from Rotary International. He was a lifelong communicant of St. Paul Church.
PJ and Wendy first met in Kindergarten at ES Rhodes Elementary School before going their separate ways for nearly two decades. They were married for nearly five decades, during which they supported each other’s careers and volunteer efforts, and raised five children in the Edgewood neighborhood of Cranston. For the last 6 years, Wendy was his most loving and constant caregiver during his battle with Alzheimer’s. It was through their example – always and during this challenging time, in particular – that their children learned the power of love, humility, humor, and hard work rooted in faith.
PJ was the loving father to Joy, PJ III, Molly, Tim and his wife, Ami, and Hannah. He was the loving “G-pa” to Luke, Lennon, Madeline, and Declan.
PJ is also survived by his siblings, Mary Simas (Paul), Cathy Fox, Kevin Fox (Mary), Mike Fox (Ginny), Annie Stringfellow (Jon), John Fox (Kathy), Bridget Bugbee (Kevin), Ginny Byrnes (Brian), Joe Fox (Debbie), and brother-in-law Carl Hjerpe. He is predeceased by his brother Jimmy Fox and sister Susie Hjerpe. He will be sincerely missed by his many nieces, nephews, grandnieces and grandnephews.
Being able to care for PJ at home would not have been possible without the tremendous support of family and friends. The Fox family is deeply grateful for an amazing team of CNAs, especially Daniel and Dolores, and the care professionals of Hope Hospice.
His funeral will be held on Saturday, May 24, 2025, at 8:30 a.m. from the Barrett & Cotter Funeral Home, 1328 Warwick Avenue, Warwick, with a Mass of Christian Burial celebrated at 10 a.m. in St. Paul Church of Edgewood, One St. Paul Place, Cranston. Visiting hours will be Friday, May 23, 2025, from 3 p.m. to 7 p.m. The burial will be private.
In lieu of flowers, contributions in PJ’s memory may be made to St. Paul Church, One St. Paul Place, Warwick Avenue, Cranston, RI 02905 or Sophia Academy, 582 Elmwood Ave, Providence, RI 02907.
