Paul Grunden died Feb. 16 at Falmouth Hospital. He was 68.

He was born in Lexington, Ky. to William and Loretta Grunden. The family lived in Connecticut and Rhode Island before making the Vineyard their permanent home. They lived primarily in Oak Bluffs.

After graduating from the Martha’s Vineyard High School in 1973, he joined the U.S. Army. When his enlistment was up, he continued to serve his country as a military police officer in the National Guard. He saw active duty during the first Gulf War. He remained in the National Guard for 20 years, retiring as a staff sergeant.

Paul also served the Vineyard as a volunteer firefighter and EMT. He was a Red Cross volunteer and was deployed to many natural disasters, rendering aid all over the country. He most recently lived in Falmouth.

He is survived by his brothers David of Oak Bluffs and Wesley of Phoenix, Ariz.