Thomas J. Paul

PAUL

THOMAS J., entrepreneur and philanthropist, passed away peacefully at his home in Rydal on August 11, 2008. He was 88.
Mr. Paul, originally of Buffalo, New York, founded Thomas J. Paul, Inc., Creative Marketing Services in 1972 after many successful years of innovative leadership in the marketing communications industry. The company today employs five of his children and nearly 90 employees at the Thomas J. Paul Building in Rydal PA and serves national and multi-national clients in the consumer products and pharmaceutical industries. Mr. Paul was the architect of integrated market-ing communications, a concept he pioneered, and an approach to brand marketing communica-tions which is broadly embraced and practiced as an industry standard today.
Mr. Paul served his country as a flight instructor in advanced instrument training in the US Army Air Corps during World War II. He enjoyed playing golf at Huntingdon Valley Country Club, but his favorite leisure activity was attending Philadelphia Flyers games. His relationship with the Flyers organization dates back to the franchise's beginnings in 1967, when he managed the graphic design of the Flyers logo and identity. He and his family have been proud charter season ticket holders since the team's first season.
A long-time patron and proponent of Catholic education and healthcare, Mr. Paul served on the Board of Trustees and was a Trustee Emeritus of his alma mater, Saint Anselm College of Manchester, NH. He also served as a Trustee Emeritus of the Holy Redeemer Health Care Corporation and Foundation and as Chair Emeritus of its Development and Foundation Council. He was deeply committed to the Sisters of the Holy Redeemer, and their mission to care, comfort, and heal, since the early 1960s. He also served as the Chair of the Catholic Charities Appeal in Philadel-phia, and as a member of the School Board of Abington Township. His company has also strongly supported develop-ment efforts at LaSalle College High School, Mount Saint Joseph Academy, Gwynedd Mercy Academy, Saint Joseph's Prep, Rosemont College, and Fairfield University.
Among his many awards and decorations are an Honorary Doctor of Laws degree from St Anselm College in 1983, his election as a member of the American Association of Master Knights of the Sovereign Military Order of Malta in 1981 in recognition of his support and service to the Catholic Church, and his appointment as an Executive Professor at Chestnut Hill College in 1979.
Mr. Paul is survived by his wife Jane (Wheeler). He was a devoted father to his 9 children; daughters Susan Exum (Jack), Barbara Ryan, and Jane Paul, and sons John (Judy), Jim (Denise), Jeff (Mary), Joe (Donna), Tom (Ellen) and Andrew (Denise), and proud grandfather of 16 grand-children and 5 great-grand-children. Friends and relatives are invited to his viewing on Friday, August 15, from 4 to 6 P.M., and from 8 to 10 P.M. (after the 7 P.M. Mass of the Feast of the Assumption) at Our Lady Help of Christians Church, 1500 Marian Road, Abington PA 19001. Mass of Christian Burial will be held there on Saturday, August 16, 2008, at 10 A.M. Interment will be at George Washington Memorial Park, Butler Pike and Stenton Ave, Plymouth Meeting PA 19462. In lieu of flowers, contributions in Mr. Paul's name may be made to Saint Anselm College, 100 St. Anselm Drive, Manchester NH 03102; Holy Redeemer Health System, 521 Moredon Road, Huntingdon Valley PA 19006; and Our Lady Help of Christians Church, 1500 Marian Rd., Abington PA 19001.
Arr. by FITZPATRICK FUNERAL HOME, ABINGTON (215) 887-1500.
Please note that the Viewing will be suspended promptly at 6 P.M. for the Mass of the Feast of the Assumption, and will resume at 8 P.M.