Paul W. Gallier, 74

Marlborough - Paul W. Gallier, 74, died Wednesday, Sept. 5, 2007 at UMass Memorial Healthcare in Worcester.

He leaves his wife of 45 years, Patricia (Patterson) Gallier, and his children, Christina Davidson and her husband, Neal; Peggy Gallier; Joy Tolan and her husband, James; and Steven Gallier and his wife, Alisson. He also leaves his sister, Ann Donahue, and his grandchildren, Jason Kittredge, Joshua Davidson, Justin Kittredge, Benjamin Davidson, Jenna Tolan, Michelle Kittredge, Jesse Tolan, Christopher Gallier and Lauryn Gallier.

Born in Stoney Ridge, Ohio, the son of Frank and Jennie (Patten) Gallier, he was a resident of Marlborough for the past 25 years. He graduated from Auburn University with a B.S. in Chemical Engineering and was then drafted into the U.S. Air Force, serving in Korea. After returning from the war, he went back to school and received his master's degree and PhD in Chemical Engineering from Oklahoma University.

Mr. Gallier was co-founder of Aspen Technology in Cambridge in 1983, serving as vice president until his retirement in 1996.

He was a longtime active member and deacon at the First Baptist Church of Sudbury. Very important in his life was being board chair of the Baptist Church Foundation of New England and his vision of a corpus of funds to underwrite church planting and leadership development. He was also a life member of the Ham radio Club in Marlborough.

Mr. Gallier was an avid cyclist and, while on vacation, bicycled the Italian Alps and rode throughout the state of Virginia, Georgia and most of Massachusetts. He also commuted to work in good weather by his bike.

Most of all, he loved his wife and family.

Following private burial, a celebration of life was held Sept. 8 from the First Baptist Church of Sudbury. The John P. Rowe Funeral Home of Marlborough directed arrangements. Memorial donations may be made to the Baptist Foundation of New England, 87 Lincoln St., Northborough, MA 01532.