James C. Paul

James C. Paul

Beloved husband of 64 years to Kathryn C. Paul (nee Cutler), loving father of Gail (Chris) Perrino and Dr. Laura (Paul) Fiorenza, dear grandfather of Hannah, Juliet, Veronica and Aidan, dear brother of Carol (Jim) Case. Passed away Thursday, November 5, 2020. Age 91.

Jim grew up on the northside of Corning, New York, where he attended Northside Primary School and Northside High School, graduating in the class of 1947. At Northside, Jim excelled at sports, earning varsity letters in baseball, basketball, football and track, as well as participating in the school's Varsity Glee Club. With best friend John “Jack” Stivers pitching, and Jim playing in the shortstop position, Northside High School Tigers baseball team earned many notable victories, including the Steuben County Section 5 New York State Public High School Athletic Association championship. Jim decided to join his father, Willard, working shifts at Corning Glass Works after graduation, as he considered his future. Stivers was signed as a pitcher with the St. Louis Browns. The friends were reunited later at Valparaiso University, after Jim spent 1948 attending Genesee Junior College in Lima, New York. He was a member of Genesee's baseball team, and successfully applied himself at his accounting and business coursework. He was scouted by a Boston Red Sox farm team, but opted to further his education. He was admitted to Valparaiso in 1949 and offered a full scholarship for baseball. He took seriously his responsibility as a dorm counselor. After college, Jim enlisted in the U.S Army, and served in the Korean War. In 1953-54, he attended the Army’s Eta Jima Specialist School in Japan, earning credentials that would lead to his service as a radio operator. Jim was reintroduced to Kathryn Ann Cutler, Northside High School alum, class of 1949, after he returned from military service. The couple was married July 21,1956, at Grace United Methodist Church in Corning. Stivers served as an usher, and Kay’s college roommate, Olga (Gerych) Savino of Bath, New York, served as maid of honor. In Corning, Jim managed Cunnings Book Store on Market Street, while Kay taught school. Jim applied and was accepted into a sales training program with Union Camp Corporation, and the family moved to a Chicago suburb. Jim’s career in corrugated packaging sales took the family to Ohio, moving to Columbus in 1969, one year after the Ohio State Buckeye football team won the National Championship. Jim and Kay’s tickets were located in “B” Deck, and the family enjoyed many Saturdays at Ohio Stadium. The family also lived in Lexington, Ohio. After successful sales and teaching careers, Jim and Kay retired to North Carolina, where they spent 24 years living in the Sandhills, made many friends, played numerous rounds of golf, volunteered to work the 1999 and 2005 U.S Open championships at Pinehurst Resort Course No. 2, and enjoyed visits from their daughters and grandchildren, who delighted in riding Jim’s golf cart. Kay meticulously managed Jim’s care as his dementia symptoms slowly progressed. They moved to Cincinnati to be close to family.

Jim was preceded in death by his parents, Willard and Esther (Ellison) Paul.

A private memorial and prayer service will take place Saturday, November 14th at the Vitt, Stermer & Anderson Funeral Home 4619 Delhi Pike, Cincinnati, Ohio.  Inurnment is planned for Coopers Plains Cemetery in Steuben County, New York. Memorials may be made to Valparaiso University or Ducks Unlimited.