Gloucester - Paul Austin Beal Jr., 34, tragically lost his life at sea on January 30, 2026, known to most as PJ. Born in Gloucester, MA on June 22, 1991, to Denee and Paul Austin Beal Sr.

PJ was born and raised his entire life in Gloucester and attended Gloucester public schools.

As a child growing up PJ instantly took a love to the ocean. Growing up on the Mill River he and his cousins could always be found in the mud with a bucket full of crabs and clams or standing on the rocks at high tide with a fishing pole in hand. They were known as the river rats by many in the neighborhood. It was never uncommon for he and his cousins to have to sneak home and try to clean the head-to-toe mud off before any parents would see! Swimming, mucking, fishing and boating is all PJ would ever think of doing.

As PJ was a little older (not much older) but old enough to be the son of a fishermen and be asked to come aboard with dad, he couldn't jump in his boots fast enough. This is when PJ went to work with his father on the Yankee Fleet. PJ worked as a "striker" (green horn learning the job for tips). He fit right in as part of the crew with his cousins Dean and Derek DeCoste by his side to mentor him. It's funny as a young child he sure had a lot of knowledge for the ocean and had no problem grabbing a rod from a customer and instantly catching them a fish. He was a natural, it was in his blood from generations of fishermen in his family.

Later PJ had the opportunity to fish aboard the F/V Sea Farmer with his father to learn what commercial fishing in New England was all about. This was a dream come true for PJ. Nothing made Paul Sr. more proud than to take PJ under his wing and teach him all the knowledge of the industry. It didn't take long and PJ was hooked, fishing was his heart, in his blood and he knew this was the career he would choose for life.

PJ fished on many different boats with many different crews, making lifelong friendships. His most recent was back to his home port of Gloucester, aboard the F/V Lily Jean. PJ was again reunited fishing alongside his father Paul Sr.

When PJ wasn't fishing he enjoyed golf, video games and just relaxing reading a good book. He was a big fan of the Boston Bruins and the Red Sox, attending games whenever he had a chance.

PJ was so proud when he became an uncle. His niece Freya meant the world to him. His face would instantly lift whenever he knew Freya was coming to town.

Paul Austin Jr. is survived by his mother, Denee DeCoste Beal; sister, Jacqueline Beal and niece Freya; brother and sister, Brendan and Kaitlyn Piscitello; stepmother, Lauren Blanchard; stepbrothers, Eric and Jason Negron; stepsister, Markie Tarantino; and many aunts, uncles and cousins.

Paul Austin Jr. was predeceased by his grandparents, Charles and Catherine DeCoste; uncles Dean and Dana DeCoste, and Kenneth Beal.

Paul Austin Jr. is at rest at sea with his Father Paul Austin Beal Sr. and the rest of the crew of the F/V Lily Jean.

A celebration of life will be announced at a later date.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the FV Lily Jean Fund, organized by the Gloucester Fishing Community Preservation Fund at www.fvlilyjeanfund.org