Paul Arthur Garrett

Paul Arthur Garrett left this world for the next on October 25, 2023, due to complications arising from Sepsis. Paul was born September 30, 1948, to William Aubrey Garrett and Vera Mae Garrett (nee Shinebarger), in Northampton, Pennsylvania.

Paul was the youngest of three (3) children, sharing his childhood with his eldest sister, Pamela E. Garrett, and older brother, Bruce A. Garrett.

Home for Paul was the small town of Lehighton, Pennsylvania, where his family owned and operated the local mortuary. Paul made friends easily and was known for his wry wit, jovial disposition, and kind and compassionate demeanor.

Paul attended the Lehighton Area School District, playing Varsity Football at the Gachtin Bambil High School—where he graduated in June 1966. Following high School, Paul went on to attend Pennsylvania Military College, where he played Varsity Football until enlisting in the military in 1969.

Serving in the military as an active duty member of the U.S. Navy from October 9, 1969, through October 5, 1973, Paul received air traffic control training at the Naval Air Technical Training Center in Glynco, Georgia and, upon completing his training, was stationed at the Naval Air Station Quonset Point in Rhode Island as an Air Traffic Controlman Third Class. While at Quonset Point in 1970, Paul was recognized for ‘Achievement in Air Safety for Operations Without a Major Aircraft Accident’. ln 1972, Paul was transferred to Guantanamo Bay, Cuba, where he worked in the air traffic control tower overseeing flight clearance and acting as a tower watchstander. Paul was honorably discharged from the Navy in 1975.

After completing his active duty military service, Paul moved to Estes Park, Colorado with two of his good friends from the Navy—Neil Rossmiller and Brain Elmendorf. The trio settled in Estes Park and developed several successful candle-making businesses while pursuing their love of skiing, nature, and the ‘hippie’ lifestyle.

Shortly after moving to Estes Park, Paul met Robin Renee Pattishall. The pair loved the mountains, beautiful scenery, and small-town, mountain lifestyle; however, they returned to the east coast in 1976 and settled outside of Albany, NY so that Paul could pursue a career in air traffic control. The couple was married in Albany, New York on February 2, 1979, and, on February 17, 1980, they welcomed their only daughter, Brooke Michelle Garrett, into the world.

Paul was employed at Albany Tower, NY from 1975 – 1981, where he excelled as an Air Traffic Control Specialist and Radar Controller. On February 26, 1979, Paul was recognized by the Federal Aviation Administration with the “We Point with Pride” award for a flight assist that saved many lives. Paul received outstanding performance reports throughout his career as an air traffic controller, as well as multiple commendations for excellent performance under pressure.

Paul was an active member in the Professional Air Traffic Controllers Organization (PATCO) and, in 1979, was appointed Vice President of Local Union 211. As Vice President of the local union, Paul was instrumental in organizing and supporting his fellow air traffic controllers during the Air Traffic Control strike of 1981. On August 3, 1981, Paul and more than 11,000 air traffic controllers were fired by then-President, Ronald Reagan, for their efforts to organize in the pursuit of fair wages and safer working conditions.

After his involuntary termination in 1981, Paul returned to Estes Park with his family and began rebuilding his life in the town that was always truly his home. Upon returning, he found work in the construction industry and at the local Hidden Valley Ski Area. In 1995, Paul started Garrett Schafman Construction with his long-time friend, Michael Schafman. Paul retired in 2016 after Michael’s unexpected passing in 2015—it just wasn’t the same working without his friend. Retirement was filled with time spent with friends and family—especially his granddaughter and the apple of his eye, McKenna C. Henderson.

Throughout his life, Paul was an avid skier and hiker and delighted in sharing his love of these activities with friends and family. Paul loved anything that involved the outdoors and, in addition to skiing and hiking, spent time mountain biking, snow shoeing, playing horse shoes and ‘washers’ with friends, photographing nature, and was even SCUBA certified.

Paul loved idiomatic expressions, euphemisms, and puns, as well as discussing politics, the environment, and telling humorous stories. In his youth he liked fast cars and would often reminisce about his 1966 Austin Healy and the foolish things he did in his youth with his best friend, Carl Wolfe. Paul had a passion for music (you can find his face on the back cover of the Woodstock album) and would update his music collection every time technology changed—from reel-to-reel, to albums, to cassettes and CDs.

Paul is preceded in death by his Father, William ‘Bill’ Aubrey Garrett and his Mother, Vera Mae Garrett. He is survived by his granddaughter, McKenna C. Henderson; daughter, Brooke M. Garrett; ex-wife, Robin R. Pattishall; sister, Pamela Davis; brother, Bruce Garrett; and his many friends—including his dear friend and ‘partner-in-crime’, Renee Sigrist. Paul was a Loving father, grandfather, and dear friend to many—his absence has created a void that can never be filled and he will be greatly missed by many.

A Celebration of Life will be held at The American Legion on Saturday, December 9, 2023, from 12:00pm – 2:00pm. Please join us to share food, drink, and your memories of Paul as we send him off on his next great adventure.

Fond memories and expressions of sympathy may be shared at www.allnuttestespark.com for the Garrett family.