Paul J. Gookin

MEADVILLE " Paul John Gookin, a husband, father, brother, veteran and the center of countless lives, passed away on Sunday, July 11, 2010, surrounded by family and friends. He was born April 30, 1947, in Meadville, to John and Marie Gookin. He graduated from St. Agatha High School and subsequently enlisted in the U.S. Army. While in the military, he served as a non-commissioned officer in Vietnam before being honorably discharged. Upon his return home, Paul worked on the railroad for a short time before beginning a lengthy career at PPG Industries Works 8 plant (now PGW). He is displayed as a tireless work ethic, going so far as to continue working double shifts at his jobs just three weeks prior to death. A firm believer in hard work, diligence, fairness, and practical jokes, he was loved by his co-workers of 40 years. He was also an extraordinary family man. He married the love of his life, the former Freda Carrara, Aug. 22, 1970. They were devoted to each other and had planned to celebrate their 40th anniversary later this summer. He provided a loving home for his wife and three children, Paul, Mathew and Joseph. Tragically, Paul and Mathew preceded him in death, as did both of his parents. After the deaths of his children, Paul continued to embrace life with a special mix of grace and stoicism. He became a mentor to his nieces and nephews and he continued to provide love, guidance and humor to his remaining son. He is survived by his wife; his son; his beloved dog, Simon; his nefarious feline, Autumn; his sister, Mary Osborne; his three sister cousins, Valerie, Sandy and Nancy; his brother-in-law, Ernie Carrara and his wife, Stacy; his sister-in-law, Elaine Phillips and her husband, Larry T.; his mother-in-law, Emma Carrara; his nieces and nephews, Karen, Stacie, Michelle, Scarlett, Pierce, Kara, Rick, Shane, Kasay, Sean, Lane, Keith, Aurora and “the man” Tanner; and many cousins, including Arthur, Gloria, Jeanette, Maxine, Casey, Kelly, Michael, Stephen, Lori, Amy, Daniel and Debbie. Additionally, for those who knew him well, he continued to be funny, loving, stubborn and cantankerous in his final days, He leaves behind a legacy of love, laughter and tireless devotion. He would give the shirt off his back for total strangers (and often did yard work without a shirt on for those he knew well). The world was a richer place for having him in it, and a funnier and brighter place with the memory of the joy and laughter he brought to it. He will be missed by many. All in all, despite protestations he may have offered, he was much more than “Just a poor Lebanese boy trying to make a living.” Calling hours will be Thursday from 1 to 5 p.m. at Roofner-Collins Funeral Home, 544 Chestnut St., Meadville, with a military service from Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 2006 color guard at 4:45 p.m. Mass of Christian burial will be celebrated at St. Agatha Church Friday at 10 a.m., with Father Raymond Gramata as celebrant. In lieu of flowers, the family requests that donations be made to the Crawford County Humane Society.