James Alfred Paul

Jim was born in Brooklyn, New York, raised by his mom, Catherine, with help from his sister Dotty. The neighborhood he lived in was a close-knit community and life centered around St Theresa of Avila Church.

After high school Jim served in the Army in Intelligence, supporting the Army of the Occupation. He was stationed in Germany and Austria where this Brooklyn boy learned to drive in the Alps.

After returning to the old neighborhood, he met his wife Mary McCormack at a dance. They grew up around the corner from each other but had never met. They married in 1957 and welcomed their firstborn son Ray in 1958.

During those first years he went to college at night at Saint John's University. By the time it was time to graduate, Mary was expecting their first daughter, Alice. She was "in the oven" at the ceremony.

During this time, he worked at the Port Authority of NY/NJ but left there to work at JC Penny's where he and a group of other new graduates were mentored by Mr. Penny himself.

Next came Mariellen and Karen to round out the family.

His professional area of expertise was personnel/benefits management. While working for American Express he travelled the world. The family moved to London for three years while Dad worked in their London office.

He retired from the City of New York as Management Benefits Director where he created many programs for the thousands of city employees and retirees.

After retirement in 1997 Mary and Jim sold their house in New Providence, NJ and moved to Sarasota, FL. They bought a condo in Peppertree on Siesta Key where they made many friends and were active at Saint Michael's Church. Jim enjoyed painting, playing golf and was an avid walker. He loved to walk. When they moved to Peppertree on Siesta Key his friend needed an exercise partner. They walked three miles a day for years. He was still walking 1.5 miles every day up until his death.

Jim got a lot of joy watching his grandchildren grow. Their visits to Siesta Key brought smiles to his face especially when the kids picked out things like plastic snakes and eyeballs from the Beach Bazaar, their favorite store for toys. We all enjoyed many dinners out and it drove him crazy when all the leftovers piled up in the fridge.

After 26 years at Peppertree they moved to Lakehouse West. Mom and Dad were married 68 years.

He is survived by, Mary Paul, Ray and Nancy Paul, Alice Paul and Patricia Favela, Mariellen and Brian Burke, Karen and Fred Coughlan; Grandchildren, Mary Coughlan, Kevin Burke, Sarah Paul, Emily Coughlan, Danny Burke and Caroline Paul; Great grandchildren, Jackson Banta, Dominick Burke and Capri Burke.

He is preceded in death by Catherine Paul, William Paul, Dotty Hutnick, Harry Paul and William Paul.

Memorial Mass is scheduled at St. Michael the Archangel Catholic Church, 5394 Midnight Pass Road, Sarasota, FL 34242, on October 17, 2025 from 1:00 PM to 2:00 PM.