Paul G. “Zeb” Rich, 65, of Falmouth and Norton, passed away unexpectedly on Dec. 10.

Born in Brockton on September 22, 1947, he was a dear son of the late Clarence P., Sr. and Virginia “Dolly” (Squadrilli) Rich.

Zeb grew up in Norton and was a 1965 graduate of Norton High School, where he served as class president and was a member of the basketball team. He also attended Cape Cod Community College.

Prior to retiring, Mr. Rich had been employed for 36 years as a postal worker for the U.S. Postal Service. He retired from the Wareham Post Office, and formerly worked for many years at the Attleboro Post Office.

A lifelong resident of Norton and Falmouth, Zeb was a familiar face in Norton affairs and politics. He was a member of the Norton Democratic Town Committee and was a former member of the Norton School Committee, the Planning Board, the Board of Selectmen, the Tri-Centennial Committee,and served as Town Moderator and as a Norton Volunteer Fire Fighter.

In Falmouth, he served as a Beach Commissioner and as a Falmouth Town Meeting Representative. Mr. Rich was also a former Bristol County Deputy Sheriff.

Zeb had a lifelong love for sports. He was the number one fan of the Notre Dame “Fighting Irish,” and served a s a Massachusetts high school baseball, basketball, softball, and football official.

Mr. Rich was a communicant of St. Mary’s Church in Norton and St. Patrick’s Church in Falmouth. He loved spending time and socializing with family and friends, and will always be remembered for his true patriotic spirit.

He is survived by his devoted sisters and brother, Barbara V. Brown and her husband Vincent, Clarence P. “Butch” Rich, Jr., and Janet J. O’Reilly and her husband Ronald all of Norton. He was the proud and loving uncle of James V. Brown and Jonathan E. O’Reilly and his wife Pia all of Norton, and is also survived by his cherished grand-niece and nephews, Stephanie J. Brown, Timothy J. Brown, and Patrick R. O’Reilly all of Norton, as well as many close and loving cousins and friends.

Services were held. Burial is in the Norton Common Cemetery in Norton.

In place of flowers, Zeb’s family would prefer that donations in his memory be made to St. Mary’s Church Building Fund, 1 Power St., Norton, MA 02766

For additional information, visit www.nortonmemorial.com.