After a lifetime of kindness and devotion to his family, George Paul, 98, of Gilpin, was called home to Heaven on Saturday, August 20, 2022. 

One of nine children, George was born in Bethel Township and grew up on his parent’s farm near Kelly Station.  As a youth he enjoyed playing baseball and was a member of several teams around Logansport.  He also loved dogs and usually had at least one under his care.  (He was especially fond of beagles!)  Like so many members of America’s Greatest Generation, George chose to serve his country in World War Two.  As an airplane mechanic in the U.S. Air Force, he saw action around the globe, including China, Burma, and India.  After the war ended, George returned to Armstrong County to marry his sweetheart, Lillian. Together they had two children, and from that point on, George’s family was his whole world. 

His son Roger became an accomplished hockey player at a young age and George and Lillian spent many of their non-working hours taking Roger to skate in games in both the U.S. and Canada.  Their daughter Renee was an ice skater and dancer, and her mom and dad accompanied her to many early morning practice sessions.  Professionally, George worked as an engineer for companies including Babcock & Wilcox, Intec, and Medrad/Bayer. George was instrumental in developing the implantable heart defibrillator and Medrad’s MRI coil technology.

Among his hobbies, George enjoyed hunting, traveling, and golf – all of which he passed on to his children.  In addition to being a long-time member of River Forest Country Club, George loved to play at top-ranked golf courses around the country, including Pebble Beach, Turtle Bay, PGA West, PGA National, The Boulders, and several of the TPC layouts.  As a traveler, George loved watching sunsets in the desert southwest, Hawaii, and the Caribbean, but was just as happy to watch them from his front yard in Gilpin, with his family and dogs.  After retiring from Medrad, George loved dining out followed by a trip to the casino with his daughter and son-in-law.  They made annual summertime trips to Las Vegas to golf, see shows, and indulge in one of George’s favorite vices, the slot machines. 

George wanted to live to 100 and almost made it, but Heaven called him home sooner than his family wanted.  He will be sadly missed by his wife of 71 years, Lillian ‘Lee’ Paul, son Roger Paul, daughter Renee Paul Abzanka, and son-in-law Brian Abzanka. 

Friends will be welcomed by his family on Tuesday, August 23 from 6 - 8 p.m. at The Clawson Funeral & Cremation Center, 170 Main St., Leechburg, 724-842-1051 where funeral ceremonies will be held at 10 a.m. on Wednesday, August 24th, with the Rev. James V. Arter III officiating.  Private entombment will be held at Greenwood Mausoleum in Lower Burrell. In lieu of flowers, donations in George’s name may be made to Tunnel to Towers, 2361 Hyman Boulevard, Staten Island, NY, 10306. https://t2t.org