The Boston-area construction community is mourning the loss of Paul Ledwell Jr., a highly respected pile driver and father of two who died in a tragic crane collapse in Everett, Massachusetts, on Friday, October 24. He was 37.
Ledwell and Larriston Lake, 44, of Roslindale, were fatally injured when a crane at the former Exxon Mobil site along the Mystic River collapsed around 3 p.m. Authorities say the crane’s cables appeared to have snapped, though the precise cause remains under investigation by state and federal safety officials.
A 2010 graduate of Wentworth Institute of Technology, Ledwell built a respected career working with major marine and heavy construction contractors, including Jay Cashman Inc., Coastal Marine, Weeks, Manafort, and ACK Marine. He was also a proud member of New York Local 1556 and Boston Local 56, unions representing pile drivers and dock builders across the region.
“Paul was a seasoned and skilled pile driver who took immense pride in his craft,” his sister, Darcy Kennedy, said in a statement shared with Boston 25 News. “He was a gentle soul with a heart full of love — someone who always put others before himself.”
Kennedy described her brother as a man deeply devoted to his family, especially his two sons, Paul, 12, and Vincent, 8. “He poured his heart into being their dad,” she said. “His love for them was endless.”
Ledwell’s passing has left a deep void within the close-knit community of construction workers and union members who often describe their profession as a brotherhood.
“Paul will be missed by so many of his brothers who worked alongside him,” Kennedy added. “He dedicated his life to his work and to the people he loved.”
The tragedy has also renewed focus on construction site safety — particularly as Massachusetts continues to see infrastructure growth and redevelopment projects along the waterfront. The Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) and local authorities are investigating the collapse to prevent similar incidents.
As friends, colleagues, and family prepare to honor his memory, they say Paul Ledwell will be remembered not only for his skill and professionalism, but for the warmth and compassion he brought to everyone who knew him.
