Col. Paul G. Laird; USA Retired; 88; of Trieste; Italy; died Wednesday; Nov. 2; 2005; in Mon Valley Hospital. A son of the late Andrew and Edith Stemberg Laird; he was born in Brownsville on Oct. 26; 1917. Col. Laird attended Douglas Business School and later graduated from the University of Maryland. His military career; spanning some 35 years from 1935 to 1970; included General Staff in the Pentagon; various U.S. and NATO commands in Europe and administration in Vietnam. He was Comptroller AMG to handle the final stages of the Marshal Plan Fund in Trieste; Italy. His decorations and awards included the Legion of Merit; the Bronze Star and the Army Commendation Award. Paul always had the notion that each of us owes a service to our country and he tried to serve to the best of his ability and honorably. Survivors include his wife of over 40 years; Paola Laird; one son and daughter-in-law; Paul G. II and Joanne Laird; of Falls Church; Va.; two grandsons; Glenn and Greg Laird; a brother-in-law; Shelby D. Ferguson; and several nieces and nephews. In addition to his parents; he was preceded in death by 3 sisters; Ruth A. Ferguson; Bernadean Vance and Vivian Jesick. Friends will be received Friday from 2 to 4 and 7 to 9 p.m. in the FERGUSON FUNERAL HOME INC. and CREMATION SERVICE; a Golden Rule Member Firm; 724-929-5300; 700 Broad Ave.; Belle Vernon. Funeral services will be in the funeral home on Saturday; Nov. 5; at 10 a.m. with the Rev. David Zona officiating. Interment; with military honors; will follow in Belle Vernon Cemetery.