Francis P. “Paul” Alciere

Francis P. “Paul” Alciere, a longtime resident of Hingham, passed away peacefully on Monday, September 11, 2023.  He was 93 years old.

He was born in Somerville to Gertrude (Moakley) and Frank Alciere and was proud to be raised in Dorchester.  He attended Mather school and then graduated from Roxbury Memorial High School where his father was a teacher.  Paul then went on to earn his degree from Harvard University where he was enrolled in the ROTC program.  After college he enlisted in the US Army.

Paul was offered a job opportunity to work as a translator for the NSA.  He hitchhiked all the way from MA to Washington D.C. for a chance and was given the job immediately for his sheer tenacity.  There, the NSA challenged him and asked him to take some courses to familiarize himself with the computer systems they had.  In those days (this was 1956) one computer took up an entire room.  After a crash course, Paul was able to use the computer to break codes  was able to teach his colleagues to do the same.  Along with a new job, Paul met the love of his life and soon to be wife, Mary C. Laforest.  

They started a family, moved to Ft. Meade, MD and then Princeton, NJ for some job opportunities before Paul returned home to Boston with his family and settled in Hingham in 1966.  He then began working at the Volpe Center for the FAA.  Paul created multiple systems that the FAA is still able to use today.  One being a prototype that would eventually lead to the Air Traffic Control System.  

In his spare time, he was an avid sailor and taught lessons at the Charles River  Community Sailing. In 1975, Paul and Mary joined the Charismatic Renewal Group where they met many lifelong friends.  He always said it was lifechanging in the best possible way for him and his family.

Beloved husband of 69 years to Mary C. Alciere of Hingham.  Devoted father of Simon Peter Alciere of Amherst, John M Alciere of Pepperell, James J Alciere and his wife Lynne of ME, Tom Alciere and his wife Blanca of NH, Rose Mary Kelleher and her husband Michael of MD and Katie Macdonald and her husband John of Middleboro.  Also survived by 7 grandchildren and one greatgrandchild.  

Relatives and friends are respectfully invited to greet the family during the visiting hours on Friday, September 15th, from 3-7 PM in the Pyne Keohane Funeral Home, 21 Emerald St. (off Central St.), HINGHAM. A Celebration of Life Service will be held in the funeral home at 9:15 AM on Saturday, September 16th prior to the Funeral Mass in St. Paul’s Church, Hingham at 10 AM. Burial in St. Paul’s Cemetery, Hingham.