Paul graduated from Tionesta High School where he excelled
in basketball and baseball. Following
high school, he enlisted in the U.S. Marine Corps in 1940. While stationed in Rhode Island, the attack
on Pearl Harbor occurred. After being
transferred to the West Coast, he was deployed to the South Pacific where he
served in World War II, and engaged in battles at Guadalcanal, Bougainville and
New Caledonia. He was honorably
discharged with a rank of Sergeant.
Following his discharge, he relocated to Genesee, PA. In 1948, he married his wife Barbara Costello
of Wellsville, NY. They were married for
58 years at the time of her passing on June 29, 2006. Paul was retired from the Air
Preheater/Combustion Engineering of Wellsville, NY.
In addition to his parents and his wife, Barbara, he is
preceded in death by brothers John, Peter and Charles, and two sisters Anna
Cimpritz and Maria Michalegko.
Paul is survived by seven children, Paula Michalegko
(Charles Guagliardi), of Erie, Pamela, of Arlington, VA, Richard (Maria), of
Lyndon Station, WI, David, Joseph (Cheryl), Susan (Bob Anderson), and Joan Todd
(William), of Erie; eight grandchildren: Adam, Ian, Dino, Nicole, Timothy,
Shannon, Kiaran and Alina; and nine great grandchildren: Julian, Vincent,
Paulina, Alex, Mikayla, Keegan, Mira, Austin and Kiera. He is further survived
by his brother Nicholas and his wife Judy of Safford, AZ.
Paul was a life member of the Genesee Valley Rod and Gun
Club as he enjoyed trout fishing. He was a member of the American Legion. Paul was an active member of Sacred Heart
Church for 65 years, where he served as an usher until the age of 94.
The family would like to extend their deepest thanks and
appreciation to the staff at St. Mary’s at Asbury Ridge, for their unfailing
care and concern for Paul. Special
thanks to Kayla, who could always make him smile.
There will be no visitation per Paul’s request. A funeral mass will be conducted at Sacred
Heart Church, Genesee, PA on Saturday, June 24th at 10:00 a.m. followed by
burial in Sacred Heart Cemetery in Wellsville.
In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to the Erie Home
for Children and Adults, 226 E. 27th, Erie, PA 16504. Local arrangements are
under the direction of the J.W. Embser Sons Funeral Home in Wellsville. Send condolences at www.Burtonfuneralhome.com.
