Paul F. Toland, originally from South Boston and then a longtime resident of Melrose, died on June 12, 2003 at the age of 67. He was preceded in death by his wife, the late Sheila M. (Turner) Toland of Melrose; by his brother, the late Donald T. 'Duncan' Toland, USMC, of South Boston; and by his parents, William and Virginia (Hamilton) Toland of South Boston. Raised in South Boston, where he was known as 'Butch,' Paul had a stellar football career as a running back at Boston College High School and then at the College of the Holy Cross. In 1952, while at B. C. High, Paul scored four touchdowns in the Exchange Bowl game against Somerville High School. In 1953, during his Senior year at B.C. High, Paul was the top-scoring player in Boston high school football, and was named an All-Scholastic by all three Boston newspapers. That same year, Paul was named the M.V.P. in the Bean Bowl Game, and was designated the Outstanding Player of the Year for Boston high school football by radio station WVOM. Paul continued his football exploits at Holy Cross, and in 1956 he caught a last-second touchdown pass at Fenway Park to lift the Crusaders over Boston College, thereby becoming the last college football player to score a touchdown at Fenway. In 1957, when Holy Cross played Marquette, Paul became the first college player to score a touchdown at the newly-opened Milwaukee Stadium. Following Holy Cross, Paul served for two years in the U.S. Navy, based at Pearl Harbor. Returning from the Navy, he tried out for the Boston Patriots professional football team. Paul then had a lengthy and very successful career in Insurance Sales, working with Metropolitan and then Crown Life. After retiring from Insurance, Paul enjoyed community activities, including service as a Volunteer Tutor with the Melrose Public Schools. For several years, he also volunteered as the Treasurer for the Lancers Club at Malden Catholic High School. Paul was a member of the South Boston Irish American Society; the Castle Island Association; the Boston College High School Hall of Fame; and the South Boston Hall of Fame. Paul is survived by his sister, Mrs. Virginia O'Neil of Houghs Neck, Quincy, and also by his brothers: William of Elizabeth, NJ; Edward of South Boston; and Warren of South Weymouth. He is sadly missed by his five children: Paul, Jr. and his wife Mary Beth of Morrisville, NC; Stephen of Melrose; Barry of Malden; Lynn (Toland) Kelly and her husband Michael of Waltham; and Brenda of Melrose. He is fondly remembered by many nieces and nephews and by his six loving grandchildren: Michael, Brian, Daniel, Kelly, Andrew, and Padraic. Funeral from the Gately Funeral Home 79 W. Foster St. Melrose on Tues. June 17th at 8AM. Funeral mass in St. Mary's Church, Herbert St. Melrose, at 9AM. Relatives and friends invited. Visiting hours Sunday 7-9PM, Monday 2-4 & 7-9PM. Burial in Wyoming Cemetery Melrose. Donations in Paul's memory may be made to St. Mary's School, 4 Myrtle St., Melrose 02176 or Autism Society of America, 7910 Woodmont Ave. Suite 300, Bethesda MD 20814.