Obituary for Paul Andrew Smelik Sr.
With great sadness we share with you that our father Paul Andrew Smelik, Sr. passed away in St. Petersburg, Florida on July 22, 2022. Born in Coalport, Pennsylvania on June 16, 1922. Paul was the youngest of the late Peter and Anna Verna Macusek Smelik.
Paul enjoyed good health until four months ago when he fell, followed by serious medical issues. One of his goals in life was to reach the age of 100. His goal was fulfilled. Even at his advanced age Paul was still a good example to us — determined to manage his life, his illness with strength, courage and grace.
A kind, quiet and thoughtful man, Paul was dedicated to his family, his faith in God and his military service of 21+ years. Always eager to lend a hand, Paul will also be remembered for his storytelling, humor, playful personality, infectious smile and blue eyes. “Once a soldier always a soldier.” Paul lived his life with honesty, duty, respect and integrity. He was a good man. A great father.
Paul began his service to the United States at the age of 17. Run by the U. S. Army, Paul participated in the CCC Camp (Civilian Conservation Corp) under President Roosevelt. When duty ended he returned to his hometown of Snow Shoe, Pennsylvania working in the coal mines for 2 years before being drafted. Taken to the train station by horse and buggy Paul set forth to begin his military career for the U. S. Army Air Force. With bags packed awaiting transport to Normandy the troops engaged in a game of baseball. Paul was injured with a broken arm, hospitalized and subsequently unable to join his unit to Normandy. Upon fulfilling his enlistment Paul received an honorable discharge. He gained employment as a welder for General Electric in Erie, married Irene Wroblewski and later reenlisted in the U. S. Air Force. Unfortunately a landmine explosion in basic training left Paul legally blind in his right eye.
Military assignments had taken him to Greenland, France and Germany. In between he was stationed in Washington State, Oregon, Texas, Kansas, Indiana, California and Virginia. From patrolling the West coast for Japanese submarines to escorting Generals and movie stars during the filming of Moulin Rouge in Paris, Paul had various military responsibilities and duties.
Assigned to combat support, civil engineering and field artillery he was a trained and skilled cannoneer, machine gun and rifle marksman, instrument observer, plumber, parachute rigger, metal worker and heavy duty transport operator.
A veteran of three wars: World War II, Korea and Vietnam Paul ended his military carried with an honorable discharge, retiring in 1968. Civilian life kept him busy. Paul enjoyed the outdoors and nature with his family. His hobbies included woodworking, cards games, watching cowboy shows, listening and dancing to Polish music. Between numerous military assignments and the joys that filled his retirement it is no wonder he was told, with his talents and dedication, “He could put a tail on a cat.”
Preceding him in death is his wife Irene of 60 years, his parents, five brothers (Steve, Michael, Joe, Martin and John Smelik) and 2 sisters (Margaret Eck and Mary Smelik). Paul is survived by his two daughters, Elaine Koos (Brent) of Stanwood, Washington and Debra Walling (Jeff) of St. Petersburg, Florida; his son Paul A. Smelik, Jr. (Patricia Perez) of Houston, Texas and a granddaughter, Jennifer Koos of Pearl City, Hawaii.
All expressions of sympathy, including flowers, honorary donations to a favorite charity and cards are welcome.
Funeral arrangements were made by Russell C. Schmidt and Son Funeral Home, Inc. 5000 Wattsburg Road
Erie, Pennsylvania 16504
Paul enjoyed good health until four months ago when he fell, followed by serious medical issues. One of his goals in life was to reach the age of 100. His goal was fulfilled. Even at his advanced age Paul was still a good example to us — determined to manage his life, his illness with strength, courage and grace.
A kind, quiet and thoughtful man, Paul was dedicated to his family, his faith in God and his military service of 21+ years. Always eager to lend a hand, Paul will also be remembered for his storytelling, humor, playful personality, infectious smile and blue eyes. “Once a soldier always a soldier.” Paul lived his life with honesty, duty, respect and integrity. He was a good man. A great father.
Paul began his service to the United States at the age of 17. Run by the U. S. Army, Paul participated in the CCC Camp (Civilian Conservation Corp) under President Roosevelt. When duty ended he returned to his hometown of Snow Shoe, Pennsylvania working in the coal mines for 2 years before being drafted. Taken to the train station by horse and buggy Paul set forth to begin his military career for the U. S. Army Air Force. With bags packed awaiting transport to Normandy the troops engaged in a game of baseball. Paul was injured with a broken arm, hospitalized and subsequently unable to join his unit to Normandy. Upon fulfilling his enlistment Paul received an honorable discharge. He gained employment as a welder for General Electric in Erie, married Irene Wroblewski and later reenlisted in the U. S. Air Force. Unfortunately a landmine explosion in basic training left Paul legally blind in his right eye.
Military assignments had taken him to Greenland, France and Germany. In between he was stationed in Washington State, Oregon, Texas, Kansas, Indiana, California and Virginia. From patrolling the West coast for Japanese submarines to escorting Generals and movie stars during the filming of Moulin Rouge in Paris, Paul had various military responsibilities and duties.
Assigned to combat support, civil engineering and field artillery he was a trained and skilled cannoneer, machine gun and rifle marksman, instrument observer, plumber, parachute rigger, metal worker and heavy duty transport operator.
A veteran of three wars: World War II, Korea and Vietnam Paul ended his military carried with an honorable discharge, retiring in 1968. Civilian life kept him busy. Paul enjoyed the outdoors and nature with his family. His hobbies included woodworking, cards games, watching cowboy shows, listening and dancing to Polish music. Between numerous military assignments and the joys that filled his retirement it is no wonder he was told, with his talents and dedication, “He could put a tail on a cat.”
Preceding him in death is his wife Irene of 60 years, his parents, five brothers (Steve, Michael, Joe, Martin and John Smelik) and 2 sisters (Margaret Eck and Mary Smelik). Paul is survived by his two daughters, Elaine Koos (Brent) of Stanwood, Washington and Debra Walling (Jeff) of St. Petersburg, Florida; his son Paul A. Smelik, Jr. (Patricia Perez) of Houston, Texas and a granddaughter, Jennifer Koos of Pearl City, Hawaii.
All expressions of sympathy, including flowers, honorary donations to a favorite charity and cards are welcome.
Funeral arrangements were made by Russell C. Schmidt and Son Funeral Home, Inc. 5000 Wattsburg Road
Erie, Pennsylvania 16504