Paul L. Pratt ’60

Paul L. Pratt, Georgetown, TX, died July 2, 2024.

Born in Burlington, VT, he and his brother and three sisters spent early years working in the family dairy business where he learned the value of hard work. Paul told his children his first vehicle was a milk truck, and he learned to drive by making deliveries of bottled milk to customers of his father’s dairy in the 1950s, back when milkmen delivered fresh milk in glass bottles to the home.

Paul graduated from Cathedral High School in 1956 before coming to Saint Michael’s. He dearly valued the life-long friendships of his classmates and stayed connected with friends from both schools through phone calls, letters and visits during his annual summer vacations to Vermont.

After graduation from Saint Michael’s, Paul enlisted in the Navy where he served on the Admiral’s staff aboard the U.S.S. Boston, a guided missile cruiser and flagship, taking part in exercises off the coasts of Northern Europe, the Caribbean and the eastern United States.

Following his honorable discharge from the Navy, Paul met his wife, Irene J. Pratt, in March 1964, and they married in 1965. That same year, Paul began a 30-year career with the IBM Corporation as a human resources specialist who, over the course of his career, worked in recruiting, employee benefits, and management.

Paul’s career with IBM brought him to Austin, TX, in 1975. Paul and Irene moved in 1996 to Sun City in Georgetown, TX, where they enjoyed retirement together for 28 years. Paul was a good neighbor who showed his affection for others with acts of service such as assisting with home repair projects, watching the house for an out-of-town friend, or driving an elderly neighbor to a doctor’s appointment.

A devout Catholic who lived his faith in all facets of his life, Paul was faithful to God, to his spouse, to his children and grandchildren, to his country, and to long-held values. Paul was a member of the Knights of Columbus and spent much of his time in retirement volunteering as an officer of that organization at his local parish donating his time and talents to projects to benefit the community, living his faith performing charitable works in service to others.

Paul was an active bridge player throughout his life and played with the same men’s bridge group in Austin, TX, for over 40 years. From the obituary his family wrote: “Paul’s favorite bridge partner, his wife Irene, says that Paul loved playing a NT card hand. His children regrettably have no idea what that means, but our mother assures us bridge players everywhere will understand.” Paul suffered from macular degeneration and glaucoma later in life, which ultimately left him blind and unable to play bridge or drive. Paul’s greatest joy in life was his family.

He is survived by his wife of 59 years, Irene, a son, a daughter and extended family. His late brother was James “Jim” Pratt ’61, and his late cousin was Edward “Ed” Goyette ’60.