Obituary of Paul Vanek

On December 11, 2020, Paul C. Vanek, Jr., passed away at his home at age 98.

Paul was born on December 21, 1921, in Binghamton, NY to Paul and Mary Vanek. He graduated from Binghamton Central High School and proudly served stateside in the United States Air Force during WWII as a pilot and trained B-26 bomber pilots. He later served in the Air Force Re-serves and retired as a Lt. Colonel. After the war, Paul returned to Bing-hamton and worked for Dunn & McCarthy shoe manufacturing, later mov-ing to the Auburn plant and retiring as Plant Superintendent.

Paul was an avid golfer and member of Highland Golf & Country Club for many years. He also was a member of the Finger Lakes Radio Control Club and enjoyed building and flying radio controlled model airplanes.

Paul was a devout Catholic and was a communicant of St. Alphonsus Church in Auburn.

Paul was preceded in death by his wife, Esther, his sisters Carolyn Foughy and Wilhelmina Linsky, and a brother Alfred Vanek. He is survived by his sons Michael (Suzette), David (Meg), and James as well as grandchildren Shan (Tom), Brian (Molly), Gray (JoElla), James, Jr. (Kate) and Terry and 7 great-grandchildren. A private mass will be held for the family. There will be no calling hours.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to St. Alphonsus Church, 10 S. Lewis Street, Auburn, NY.