Paul Louis Gladding

Paul always had a love for the water and all aspects that surrounded it. As a child, Paul, along with his family, left Rhode Island for Florida, via a 140-year-old boat. Paul served in the US Navy from 1965-1971 in the Vietnam War aboard the ship USS Forrestal. After his service, Paul resided in the Florida Keys. Paul, along with his wife Louise, owned two boat yards, one in Marathon and later one in Key West. Paul eventually came to Pine Island where he and Louise owned Harbor Hideaway Marina. While pursuing his love for the water, Paul also remained an avid commercial lobster and crab fisherman. If Paul wasn’t on the water, you could find him working on his boats and crab traps, or building model boats. Paul was a man of abundant knowledge and could always tell you a good story.

Paul is survived by his loving granddaughter Natalie Hill, numerous nieces and nephews, as well as extended family and friends. He will be deeply missed by many.

Paul was preceded in death by his loving wife Louise Darna Gladding; daughter Tammy Gladding Hill, his parents Ray and Marie Bertha LaValle Gladding; his sisters Ruth Tindell, Rae Walsh and Carolyn Gladding; his brothers Ray Gladding Jr., Nathaniel “Nat” Gladding and Peter Gladding.

A Visitation for Paul will be conducted from 11:00 AM - 1:00 PM on Saturday, January 31, 2026 inside the Remembrance Event Center at Coral Ridge Funeral Home, 950 Chiquita Boulevard S, Cape Coral, Florida 33991, (239) 283-0540. Immediately following at 1:00 PM a Celebration of Life Service for Paul will be officiated by Celebrant Dennis Antoniello also inside the Funeral Home Chapel. At the conclusion of these ceremonies, family and friends will recess to adjacent Coral Ridge Cemetery where Paul will receive Funeral Military Honors from the United States Navy and be laid to rest in the Garden of Faith.

To share a story or photo, leave a tribute or to offer condolences, please visit Paul's on-line memorial webpage at www.dignitymemorial.com/obituaries/12712104 and sign his guestbook.