Paul Lally

Paul William Lally, 89, of Portsmouth, RI, died on March 14, 2026, in hospice care with his family by his side. Born in Scranton, PA on January 25, 1937, he was the son of Thomas and Esther (Kerrigan) Lally. Paul honorably served our country in the U.S. Army Reserve. He was attached to Fort Dix until his discharge in 1964, earning the rank of SP5. Paul graduated from Seton Hall University with a degree in marketing. Paul had a long career in advertising working for many years at the global advertising firms Sudler & Hennessey as well as McCann Erickson. Later in his career he was an advertising executive for Dance Teacher Now magazine and ran a video rental store for a few years in New Jersey in the 1980s. In retirement he kept active conducting guided tours at Fort Adams state park in Newport. His interest in his own Irish heritage led him to become a member of the Ancient Order of Hibernians in Newport. His other interests included acting in community theater as well as line and ballroom dancing. He is survived by his wife Shirley Lally of Portsmouth and his son Jim Lally of Middletown. Paul is preceded in death by his parents and his son Douglas George Lally. Visiting hours will be held on Saturday, March 21, 2026, from 9:30-10:30 AM at Connors Funeral Home, 55 W Main Road, Portsmouth. A Memorial Service with Military Funeral Honors will follow on Saturday at 11:00 AM in the Connors Funeral Home. The memorial service will be open to friends and family. Additional information at www.memorialfuneralhome.com