Paul L. McCauley

1929 - 2024

Paul L. McCauley

January 24, 1929 - January 19, 2024

Lexington, Kentucky - Paul Lafayette McCauley, 94, of Lexington, KY, passed away on January 19, 2024. He was born on January 24, 1929, in Buffalo, NY, where he lived with his parents, Walter and Pauline and his brother Walter "Stokes" McCauley.

Paul's life was shaped by the challenges of growing up during the Great Depression and World War II. These experiences instilled in him a strong sense of community and a deep understanding of the importance of working towards a common purpose.

In his early adulthood, Paul served as a Navy corpsman during the Korean War. Despite witnessing the horrors of combat, he took pride in the education he received through the GI Bill, particularly his time at the University of Michigan (Go Blue!).

After graduating, Paul pursued a career as a city manager. He was particularly proud of his non-violent response during the riots of 1968 in Newburgh, NY, and his efforts in Lehighton, PA, where he worked to create water access for the fire department following a tragic incident.

In his retirement years, Paul and his wife Joan settled in Lexington, KY. They initially resided at Merrick Place but found their true happiness when they moved downtown. Paul and Joan enjoyed attending UK football games, local theater productions, and regularly dining at their favorite restaurants: Dudley's, a la Lucies, Joe Bolognas, Saratoga, and Ramsey's.

Sadly, Paul experienced the loss of both his wife and daughter, Susie, within a year of each other. Despite these losses, he was loved by his family, particularly his stepdaughter Diane Fleet (Ralph Pate), friends, and the constant companionship of his beloved dog, Gypsy.

Paul was a man of strong convictions and never hesitated to take a stance. He was a fierce advocate for women's rights, animal welfare, and human rights. His nephew Sean described him as "the coolest old guy I ever knew!"

A private celebration of Paul's life will be held at a later date. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions can be made to GreenHouse17.org or the ACLU. Paul would also remind you to care for our animals and support local artists.