Paul Gregory Bronk

BRADENTON, FL. - With profound sadness, we announce the passing of Paul Bronk, age 61, on the seventeenth of May, 2023 after a sudden illness. Born in Bala Cynwyd, Pennsylvania on June 4, 1961 to Harold Raymond Bronk, Jr. (deceased) and Ruth Marie Bronk (deceased), he was the second youngest of seven children. He attended school in Newton, Massachusetts and graduated from Newton North High School and later earned a Bachelor of Arts in Theater from UMASS/Boston.

Paul's love for theatre stayed with him his entire life. After finding work in television and stage in the Boston area, Paul eventually moved to Hollywood and received his first significant role in The Next Karate Kid, released in 1994. With that role, Paul was granted membership into the Screen Actors Guild (SAG), of which he was very proud.

Returning to the Boston area, Paul met the love of his life in Martha Hamel. In short order, they fell madly in love, married, and spent the past 25 years together. After many years in the Boston area, Paul and Martha recently moved to Bradenton, Florida to find a quieter, stress-free life.

Paul was the brother to siblings Harold R. Bronk III, Karen Bronk (deceased), David Bronk (deceased), Stephen Bronk, Peter Bronk and Timothy Bronk.

He was the fun-loving, beloved uncle to Judea and Sierra Beatrice, Hal and Spencer Bronk, Ruffino and Manuel Driscoll, Mattias and Lukas Bronk, Joshua and Victoria Bronk, and Jack and Eileen Bronk.

In many ways, Paul was the "glue" that kept his family together and connected. His passion for life, intelligence, sense of humor, kindness and the love he shared with Martha and their cats will be greatly missed.

Paul, affectionately known as "Paulie", was a beloved member of the Hamel family and friends. Always warm, helpful, smiling and fun. He especially loved hosting Thanksgiving and Christmas, with all the trimmings. The 4th of July in Salem, Massachusetts was also one of his favorites, especially when manning the busy grill for everyone. He was loving, caring and the best husband a person could ever dream of. All of our hearts are broken, and he will be forever missed and remembered fondly.

A celebration of Paul's extraordinary life has been arranged for Saturday, September 30th beginning at 1:00 pm at Winter Island Park in Salem, Massachusetts.

Please contact Martha for details and to RSVP at: RememberPGB2023@gmail.com

Our families would ask that you please consider making a donation in honor of our dear Paul to the Stroke Service at Massachusetts General Hospital in Boston (massgeneral.org).