Paul F. McCarthy died of natural causes on August 23 in Captiva, Fla. He was 63 and an acclaimed business leader, attorney, environmentalist and world traveler.

Born and raised in Boston, Paul graduated from St. Gregory’s Grammar School and the Boston Latin School. He earned an undergraduate degree from Stonehill College as well as an MBA and law degree from the University of Notre Dame and a Masters of Public Administration from the Kennedy School of Government at Harvard University.

Originally a corporate attorney at Sidley & Austin in Chicago, a career change into the boat and tourism business inspired his first architectural tours of Chicago from the water. Launching Chicago from the Lake, Paul embraced the boating, special events and hospitality business full-time.

Winter weather led him to Florida, where he founded Captiva Cruises in 1986 to craft excursions to the nearby waterways and barrier islands. In 1991, Paul moved to Captiva full time, built McCarthy’s Marina, and became a leader in the community, serving on the boards of the Sanibel-Captiva Conservation Foundation, the Sanibel & Captiva Islands Chamber of Commerce, the Captiva Island Historical Society, and the Captiva Civic Association.

Paul has left a rich and full legacy of stewardship and eco-tourism embodied in Captiva Cruises, which a goal to respect and appreciate the natural beauty of Southwest Florida. In 2013, he was honored as the business person of the year by the Sanibel & Captiva Islands Chamber of Commerce. He received the Junonia Award in 2014 and the Chrysalis Award for Eco-Innovation in 2016. Both are prestigious awards sponsored by the Lee County Visitor & Convention Bureau and the Greater Fort Myers Chamber of Commerce.

Paul had many varied interests and experiences, including six months of service in the White House as executive director of the America’s Millennium initiative, culminating in the nation’s New Year Y2K Millennium celebration. He also served as executive director of Earth Day 2000 at the United Nations in New York. He recently completed a highly successful term as commodore of the Captiva Island Yacht Club, where he led many excursions, including visits to the America’s Cup in San Francisco as well as Newport, R.I. and Havana, Cuba. Paul enjoyed skiing in Telluride and vacations on Martha’s Vineyard.

Paul had a generous spirit and a zest for life. He loved to share his laughter and passion with everyone who touched his life.

He is survived by his mother, Eleanor McCarthy of Hingham, siblings Michael McCarthy and his wife Maryellen of Hingham, Maureen Ghublikian and her husband Jack of New Seabury, and Jack McCarthy and his wife Cathy of Sudbury, as well as nine nieces and nephews and nine grand-nieces and nephews. He also leaves behind his close-knit family at Captiva Cruises along with many devoted friends around the world who counted him as family.

A wake will be held on Friday, Sept. 9 from 4 to 8 p.m. at the Dolan Funeral Home in East Milton, followed by a funeral mass at 10 a.m. on Saturday, Sept. 10 at St. Gregory Parish Church, 2223 Dorchester Avenue in Dorchester.

A celebration of Paul’s life will also be held in Captiva, Fla. in early December; details will be forthcoming.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Sanibel-Captiva Conservation Foundation, the Captiva Island Historical Society, the Barbara Sumwalt Museum and the Epilepsy Foundation.