To Dr. Creighton's family,

I am so sorry for your loss.  I had the pleasure of providing anesthesia for Dr. Creighton's patients for a number of years, and I always knew it was going to be a good day because he always made me laugh.  I loved his stories, and he was so wonderful with his patients.  It was always the best day working with Dr. Creighton.  He was just an outstanding person, and will be missed.

Mary Ellen and Drew, my deepest sympathy go out to you and your family on the loss of a great man and great friend. I was privileged to be able to work with him over so many years together to help the  health of children with disabilities. There was never anything that was too much to ask of him when it came to helping kids to have better dental health which led to better overall health. He was always smiling anytime I asked him for help, and his answer was always the same, "of course whatever it takes". I can see him now still smiling. And fact, I never remember ever seeing him  not smiling. That’s truly the kind of guy he was. I will never forget him & happy to have called him, my friend.  Once again, my deepest condolences on this sad moment.  I look forward to contributing to the foundation which will provide a lasting legacy for all that he has accomplished in his life, and even after. Tom Polisoto.

Mary Ellen,
Sending heartfelt sympathy to you and all of your beautiful family. Paul was a wonderful human being, always so positive and so giving, We cannot begin to fathom your loss. Sending love and prayers your way.

Dear Mary Ellen and Family,
I am so saddened to learn of Paul's passing.  As a pediatric medical colleague since meeting him at CHOB over forty years ago, he always brought humor and optimism to every encounter.  He made everyone feel special and truly cared about his patients, coworkers and students and always inquired about my family who were his patients in the long distant past!
He will be sorely missed by all who knew him, but his legacy of kindness will remain with us every day as a mentor of a life well lived.  My thoughts and prayers are with you.
Sincerely,
Mindy Cameron

I'm so saddened by this news.  I finally found a new dentist I like recently (15+ years after aging out of Dr. Paul's care) and was just telling her this past week how much I loved my pediatric dentist, Dr. Paul!  He was a great man and will be remembered fondly by many people including my whole family.

I wanted to extend my heartfelt sympathies to the entire family of Dr. Paul. I met him at the hospital when my severely autistic son had a dental emergency. No regular dentist would take him. Dr.Paul was such a kind soul who really cared about the special needs population. My son went to him for years and ill always be thankful for Dr. Pauls compassion and kindness!!!! May he now rest in the arms of our gracious lord!

Paul was a great mentor and friend. He was there whenever I needed to hear an encouraging word. His kind words and " checking in" on me during my dad's illness and death helped me get through those dark times in my life.
 He always reminded me that family comes first and  everything else second.
I will miss you Paul but I have faith that you are in a better place and that we will meet again someday.

To the entire Creighton family,
My deepest condolences and may God give you strength and perseverance in your time of grief.  
God Bless,
Annette ( and Joe) Lukasik

Appreciate all the good times Paul at Greisedeck Dorm, St Louis University.
You were a great friend and roommate.
Blessings and prayers to your family.
James (Jim) Walentynowicz MD

Dear Maureen & Kit
Please know that my thoughts and prayers are with you and your family.  I only knew your Dad through both of you, but he was always smiling.  You are both a credit to him.  I always loved seeing your family at St. Anthony’s during the summer months.  Please give my condolences to your Mom.
Mrs. Higgins

Mary Ellen - 

I was so sorry to hear about Paul’s passing.  My sincere condolences to you and your loved ones.  I enjoyed the time I worked with you and Paul at WCHOB.  May the Lord provide you with comfort and peace during this time.

I was one of Dr. Creighton’s students at UBSDM. He would regularly see me studying on the weekends at the Williamsville Starbucks. He would walk by and give me a gift card or fresh cup of coffee and a word of encouragement. I will always remember his generosity.

Dr. Paul Creighton was a great man who embodied the kindness of Christ and shared his skills with those in need. I will never forget his kindness to my cousin. I will also remember him and his daughter showing up for early morning Mass at St. Michael's and him praying before the statue of Saint Jude. Surely "Dr. Paul" is basking in the glory of heaven! Lou Michel

To the beloved family of Dr. Paul, 

We are so sorry for your loss. There is nothing we can say to take away the pain and heartbreak. Dr. Paul helped our family so much throughout the last few years. He was instrumental in helping my husband become a pediatric dentist and he provided support after the death of our infant daughter. The way he touched our lives in our darkest moments and the professional support he provided to my husband will always be remembered. You will all be in our prayers. Jesus is always with you, especially in your suffering. 

Sincerely, 
Lexi & Josh Matam

Good man enjoy the next chapter of your experience. Peace and Tranquility!!

Dr. Creighton… You were a force to be reckoned with. You had such grace, kindness, and humor. Nobody will ever compare. Everyone loved you, especially me. My mother worked with you during your residency and I, had the grace, to work with you as her adult daughter. When she found out that I was working with the people she loved working with (you), when I was young, she was ecstatic! CHOB will never forget you. I’ll never forget you. So kind. So funny. So loved. “She’s ok….she just got her license but, you’ll be fine!”  Wink. Ha!!! Every time. Miss you and I know you are finally resting.  XO Sara Zahn

Mary Ellen and family,

I am shocked and deeply saddened to hear of Paul's passing.  I have many fond memories of working with both of you at Children's Hospital.  My deepest condolences you and all of your family.  RIP Paul.

Dr. Paul Creighton was the ultimate leader in his profession, a gifted educator, and the definition of a  humanitarian.  32 years ago our first child was surprisingly born with a moderate cleft lip/palate.  At Children's Hospital we were surrounded by specialists who communicated the challenges we would have with feeding and the many surgeries that were ahead for our son with this fixable birth defect.  Paul was one of the first health professionals to visit us and gave us a comprehensive overview of our son's trajectory.  However, more importantly than the information that Paul disseminated, were his first words to us - "Congratulations, your beautiful son is going to be just fine."  Our relationship continued with Dr. Creighton at the Craniofacial Clinic and for consultations, always with the best care.  Yet, it was Dr. Creighton's humanity that gave us the strength to approach our son's fixable birth defect with strength and positivity. We will always be grateful for the impact Paul had on us and our son.  May Paul's memory be for a blessing.

Rest in peace, Dr. Creighton.

Your life was a profound testament to service, compassion, and quiet leadership. You gave so freely of yourself to children, families, colleagues, and an entire community, often without recognition and always with humility. Your vision, generosity, and unwavering commitment to caring for the most vulnerable changed lives in ways that will never fully be measured.

You were more than a gifted dentist and leader. You were a healer, a mentor, and a steady presence who made people feel seen, safe, and valued. Your legacy lives on through the Special Smiles Foundation, through the countless children whose lives you brightened, and through the family, friends, and colleagues who carry your lessons forward.

May you rest in eternal peace, knowing your work mattered deeply and your impact will continue for generations. My heartfelt condolences to Mary Ellen, your children, grandchildren, and all who loved you.

- Dr. Weber, and Family

December of 2011, and during one of the darkness days of my life, during my excruciating painful divorce, and walking without any destination in a shopping center in Indianapolis, I called Dr Creighton. He immediately answered my call and for more than an hour, his compassion, friendship, word and everything else showed that there is always sun at the end of the storm.  After that call…..  I placed on Dr Creighton the honorary title of my “dad”. He was exactly that with me. He was an amazing honorary dad.  For more than a decade we became the best friends. He initially invited me to come to Buffalo to provide continuing education to his residents. Then he moved me to the title of adjunct faculty and for 11 years….yes eleven years, he moved me monthly and sometimes weekly from Indianapolis to Buffalo. We went together to church, he showed me over and over the meaning of a good catholic. Dr Creighton, you are now next to my mom, sooner or later I will see you again. Eternal gratitude to you, you are now in my daily prayers,  God will provide the strength to your amazing family during these difficult days. You are not going to rest in peace….you can’t do that, you will be working for all of us who still in this planet!!!! Your friend and honorary son, Juan F Yepes

Paul was a good friend and trusted teammate . Lots of great memories from the Trap & Field Club and Amherst High School

A.M.D.G. Dr. Creighton
My prayers to your family

Tom Smeeding

I am very sorry to hear of Dr. Creighton’s passing. I am grateful for the opportunity he gave me and for his role in shaping my path in pediatric dentistry. My sincere condolences to his family, friends and colleagues.

Our condolences and prayers for our neighbor down the hall in the basement of the former Children"s Hospital of Buffalo. We appreciate the help Paul gave us (Great Lakes Orthopedic Labs ) when we were looking for new office space to rent  when the new O'shei Children"s Hospital was being built. Paul"s kindness will not be forgotten.

It’s heartbreaking to know we’ve lost a truly remarkable and outstanding man. 
   Many of my best memories during the decades I worked at Children’s Hospital were in the 1980’s in the OR. I remember how we Nurses used to request being assigned to work in his room. He was always professional, but also kind, upbeat, happy and funny. Working with him guaranteed a great work day. I had no doubt in choosing him as my daughter’s Dentist for 18 years. 
   Mary Ellen, I’m very sorry you had to loose Paul, especially so early in life. I’ll pray that God helps you, your children and other family members through the tremendous grief you’re experiencing. Please know his legacy will live on in so many hearts. 💞
Claire Maloney

My sincere condolences to Mary Ellen and family.  It was my privilege to work with Paul for many years.

To the family of Dr. Creighton, 
It was so sad to see Dr. Creighton’s photo in the paper this morning. I worked at the front desk of Mercy UPD for a few years in the earlier 2000’s and remember he would be there every Monday guiding the team. He was a calm, confident leader and he made the day run very smoothly. He was passionate about his work and his patients, and they all loved him right back! Everybody would beg to get in with Dr. Paul! 
I hope your family can find peace during this tragic time, knowing that Dr. Paul was a wonderful boss and person. My sincere condolences for your loss. 
-April (Hayes) Sroka

I'm saddened and in disbelief on the passing of Dr. Paul.  To all of the Creighton family please accept my deepest condolences and prayers at this very difficult time.

Bill Larkin
Sunset Beach, NC

Kit and family, I’m so saddened by this news.  My thoughts and prayers are with you all.

This community lost a LEGEND! Dr Paul was the definition of being “selfless”! He always put the kids of WNY first! NEVER turned a child away- taught us how to REMOVE every barrier and always do the right thing! Never let a child suffer….he was a GREAT man! Never slept, worked 7 days a week- even on vacation! He LOVED what he did! A great BOSS and a true friend! I feel blessed to have worked for such an inspiring man for 22 years!  You have made an imprint on so many people….your Legacy will live on Dr Paul! You were ONE OF A KIND! May you rest in peace! Miss you already! So very sorry to your entire family for their loss. Loved by so many….there will never be another Dr.Paul!  Watch over your family from above….You are now their beautiful Guardian Angel! Till we meet again my friend!

I am so sorry to hear of the passing of Dr Creighton.He took care of all 4 of my daughters and as a 38 year employee of children’s hospital I sent many patients to him…kind, patient caring I will never forget him …rest in peace 🙏

Paul was kind and a bit altruistic. He from my very beginning saw promise and gave enthusiastic support in the development of my own practices and instruction at our dental school and later with my involvement at UPD.
He was and always will be the inspiration I tried to achieve in humility and respect toward others!

Well done my friend and 🕊️eternal.
- Mark E. Trautman, D.D.S.

Mary Ellen and family,
I am so very sorry for your loss and will forever remember the kind, gentle person that Paul was. May eternal peace be his.
Sr. Brenda

Dr. Creighton took such amazing care of our son, Andrew, who had a traumatic dental accident when he was 3 years old.  He is now 32 years old and doing fine.  Dr. Creighton would meet us at any time, any office to realign his dental plate which replaced his 4 front baby teeth until his permanent teeth came in at age 7.   Working at the old Children's Hospital, I would often see Dr. Creighton who always had a smile and kind words.
Mary Ellen and family, Prayers are with all of you at this very sad and difficult time.
Love, Cheryl and Ron Hayes

I am deeply sorry to hear of Dr. Creighton's passing. As a resident in the class of 2021, I am profoundly grateful for the opportunity to have worked with and learned from Dr. Creighton.

There is no dentist in WNY that did more for children with severe dental malformations than Dr Paul Creighton. I wish he could have been with us for decades to come. Sometimes, the truly remarkable ones are called for something bigger than us. May God hold him close and give his family the grace to grieve.

OBITUARY

Paul R. Creighton, DDS

22 September, 1957 – 15 December, 2025

Dengler, Roberts, Perna Funeral Home

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