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PAUL RENNE Obituary
Age 51, lost his battle with heroin addiction on August 5, 2017. He was a kind and beautiful soul, and his spirit lives on in his family and friends. He is survived by his mother, JoAnne Lightner; stepfather, Don Lightner; father, Paul F. Renne; brother, Ian Renne; sister, Jennifer Renne; nieces and nephew, Leah Renne, Jackson and Julia Roth. Paul was a math teacher for many years in the Pittsburgh Public school system, designed math curricula, and pioneered a way of teaching math that lives on. His students adored him, as he connected with them by care for each and every one, and brought his passion for math and learning to the classroom every day. Paul was an avid outdoorsman, enjoyed kayaking, hiking, camping, travel, and adventure. He loved music, art, and literature. He is also forever in the hearts and souls of his aunts and uncles, Virginia and Peter Hutchinson, Patricia and Samuel Lee Armfield III, Michael and Susan Renne; and cousins, Caroline Armfield (Derek), Christopher Hutchinson (Lilia), Bridgett Javid (Khalid), Brian Hutchinson (Heather), Fernando DeMoura (Katelyn); and the dear friends he had. Our hearts are broken, but we keep the spirit of Paul John alive through our children, and our stewardship of the earth. In lieu of flowers, please send donations to: Audubon Society of Western Pennsylvania, 614 Dorseyville Rd., Pittsburgh, PA 15238, or Northside Animal Rescue Center (Animal Rescue League), 1101 Western Avenue, Pittsburgh, PA 15233. Viewing Thursday night 7:00 to 9:00, THOMAS M. SMITH FUNERAL HOME & CREMATORY, LTD., 930 Center Avenue, (Blawnox) Pittsburgh, PA 15238. We invite you to celebrate his life on Friday afternoon at 2:00 where Paul will be brought to his final resting place in Penn Forest Natural Burial Park, 155 Colorado Street (off Hunter Road), Verona, PA 15147. Paul will be buried in a biodegradable casket so that his body feeds the trees, meadow, and plants that he loved so much. Please dress comfortable and casually, weather appropriately. Paul would want us to be comfortable as we mourn, rejoice, and give gratitude that he touched us so deeply. He will be forever missed. Buffet Friday afternoon 4:00, Walnut Grille Fox Chapel (in Waterworks Mall), 911 Freeport Road, Pittsburgh, PA 15238. www. thomasmsmithfh.com.
To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.
Bridgett
August 11, 2021
I Miss you Cousin!!
~Bridgett
Patricia Armfield
March 22, 2021
Thinking it’s getting close to Cottage time with all of us again.
Maresa Saunders
August 3, 2020
Dear JoAnn, I think of Paul often. I pass through HPark and pass his street! His skateboarding to class at Shuman, your love as well as your family. The final resting place and the beautiful rock I chose. We were truly good friends. I pray you are finding comfort each day, knowing all he had done for his students, friends, and of course family. My love to all on this 3rd anniversary.
Bridgett Javid
August 9, 2018
He was the best!!! I was just in Oakland and thinking about when me, you and Caroline all lived on Oakland Square. Larry & Carol's late night pineapple pizza and you would bring us these healthy seaweed wraps to eat & talk to us about recycling and taking better care of our plants and the earth. We would laugh so much!! You were the coolest! And Conneaut Lake!! So fun!!! I love you cousin and you'll NEVER be forgotten!!!!
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George Maier
August 6, 2018
In loving memory of a beautiful person. I wanted to post something to remember how awesome a person Paul John Renne was one year after his tragic overdose. Such a funny, sensitive, smart, and caring person. Even with Paul's weaknesses, the world could use a lot more Paul Renne's.
Hope his family and extended family of friends have found some peace in the last year. Love and miss Paul always. -George
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wBXUNKCETAA
Andy Caines
March 29, 2018
Jen... Im so sorry to hear he passed away...
He was always friendly to me at FCHS..a great runner I recall and a genuine person. Hes missed... Andy CAINES
Jen Renne
February 12, 2018
OK, so 6 months later. Pretty sure no one will see this. But my heart still breaks. And I will always be grateful for those that posted to this site, sent a card, came to the funeral, or who still recognize that grief takes some time. I loved him so much.
Paula Fredland
November 17, 2017
My condolences to the family of Paul. I taught with him at night school at CCCHS and he was an excellent teacher to work with. Please know that my thoughts and prayers are with you all at this time.
Ashley Edder
August 18, 2017
It was so sad to hear about Mr. Renne passing. He was a great teacher and i enjoying his teacher in math class. May my support and prayers go out to his family and close friends.
Bridgett Javid
August 16, 2017
Bridgett Javid
August 15, 2017
Betsey Owens
August 9, 2017
To all the Lightners and Rennes,
My heart is heavy for you. So hard loosing one as young as Paul John.
With great sympathy,
Betsey Owens
Bridgett Javid
August 9, 2017
Dear Aunt JoAnne,Don, Jennifer & Ian,
I am so sorry for your loss!! My cousin Paul John was a beautiful person. My thoughts and prayers are with each of you & I love you all. I will never forget him!!
My heart is broken but Paul's legacy will live on through all of the children that he has taught and impacted through the years. Love you forever cousin!!
Bridgett
Rob Peles
August 9, 2017
So sad to get this news. I taught with Paul at Oliver HS. He had amazing enthusiasm for teaching a difficult subject to challenging students. He was very creative and a true gift for teaching. He and I shared a common love for music and, despite our age difference, would share tapes of favorite artists. I often think of him when I wear the Heinz T-shirt he gave me. I pray that he is in a place that will surround him with peace and love
Rob Peles
Cousins
Bridgett Javid
August 9, 2017
Donna Pinkett
August 9, 2017
Joanne (JR).....I am truly saddened for you and your family. Paul John was beautiful kind person! He is now at Peace with Our Lord God. He will be truly missed. With thoughts and prayers to All.
Rick Duffy
August 9, 2017
Dearest JoAnne,
My heart is so very sad for you and your family as you grieve the loss of a truly good soul, that was Paul John.
Please accept my deepest and heartfelt sympathies as you celebrate his life and think of the light he brought to so many, including me, years ago.
My prayer is that you find peace and solace knowing that he is in a better place, no longer suffering and that his spirit lives on in those who loved him and were inspired by him during his brief time with us.
Eternal Rest and Perpetual Light be granted to him and may he rest in peace.
With condolences, sadness and love,
Maresa Saunders
August 9, 2017
Dear JoAnn,
Please accept my heartfelt condolences on the passing of Paul. I adored him for who he was and the gifts of legacies he left behind with the students he so loved. He was a dear friend and we shared so many "road trips" to meetings over the years. He will be remembered from our days at Boyd. He loved you so much as well as his siblings. I know he is at Peace.
In loving respect,
Maresa
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