Paul Skrabut

Paul Allen Skrabut, Jr. passed away peacefully on January 24, 2026. Born on August 29, 1942, to Paul Skrabut and Anna Luchan Skrabut, Paul grew up on a small farm outside of Sewickley, PA, in a family of musically inclined steelworkers and union organizers. Both sharp and tough, he developed a keen interest in politics early on and received scholarships to Washington & Jefferson College and Cornell Law School, where he cultivated expertise in government and international law to better fight for causes he believed in. It was also during this time that he began service in the U.S. Merchant Marines, gaining world travel experience that enhanced his character, understanding, and ideals.

In the early 1960s, Paul was active in political, labor, and civil rights movements — fundraising for Martin Luther King Jr. and supporting opposition to dictatorships in Haiti and the Dominican Republic. A proud and principled Marine Corps officer, he served three years in Vietnam as a linguist, intelligence officer, and company commander. He vigorously pursued accountability in cases involving the mistreatment of Vietnamese POWs and rose to the rank of Lieutenant Colonel.

Following Vietnam, he served as legislative director and later chief of staff to Senator Williams of New Jersey, remaining in that role until Williams' resignation in 1982.

Paul was a senior executive at the government affairs firm Palumbo & Cerrell for over two decades, advocating on behalf of songwriters and music creators as a representative for ASCAP and the Music Educators National Conference. With his life-long passion for international affairs, he also worked to secure funding for Catholic Relief Services and served as President of the National Cherry Blossom Festival in Washington DC.

In his late 60s, while continuing his political engagement and government service, Paul became the primary caregiver for his two-year old grandson, whom he raised single-handedly and loved dearly for the next sixteen years.

Armed always with humorous anecdotes, distinctive fashion sense, and small trinkets for loved ones and strangers alike, Paul made a warm and lasting impression on everyone he encountered. He will be fondly remembered and deeply missed.

He is survived by his siblings, Ronald Skrabut and Carola (Dolly) Ruggiero; six people who called him Dad — Paul Skrabut, Cris Skrabut, Lara Rice, Kristin Skrabut, Juliette Lynn, and J William Meek; and four grandchildren, Emma, Ayden, Mira, and Risa.