Paul Gomulinski

Paul Gomulinski, aged 76, passed away peacefully on September 8th, 2025, in Black Mountain, North Carolina. Paul will be forever remembered for his patience, his kindness, his enthusiasm for life, and the impact he made on so many.

Paul was born in Detroit, Michigan, on September 12th, 1948. A child of hard-working Polish parents Sevrey and Jane Gomulinski, he and his brothers Mel and Ted grew up knowing the value of putting in effort, the value of a dollar saved, and most importantly, the values of love and laughter.

Paul's journey brought him from Michigan to Alabama to Florida to North Carolina. Along the way, he inspired countless individuals everywhere he went. From playing college basketball on scholarship and creating lifelong bonds with a championship team and championship friends whom he was in touch with even through his final years… to mentoring and inspiring hundreds of students as a teacher, coach, and Dean through the Archdiocese of Miami… his ability to bring people up and encourage smiles and self belief ranged far and wide.

Nowhere was his inspiration felt more than within his own family. He met the love of his life, Debbie, through a mutual friend, and they were married August 20th, 1988. He was a devoted husband to Debbie for 37 years of blessed marriage, and not a day went by that he didn't tell her he loved her. Together they navigated blended families, moves, career challenges, health concerns and more, supporting one another and up for anything together. Most importantly, they raised 4 children and 11 grandchildren with endless love and care. Paul treasured his time with grandkids, and was known to throw the ball, swim in the pool, play chess, dance the chicken dance, and even join in drawing games where the kids tried to interpret his illegible drawings…and he did it all with a smile.

Paul was described by all who knew him as one of the kindest souls they had ever met. He never met a stranger, and was as enthusiastic to a random passerby on the street as to those close to him. He brought positivity and patience everywhere he went. His Polish stubborn streak fueled his energy and enthusiasm, and he was simultaneously one of the most patient fathers, grandfathers, and teachers anyone around him had met. He has been described as the greatest cheerleader…the most supportive dean…a captivating storyteller (with plenty of amusing adventures from years gone by)... and also a walking miracle.

Passionate about all sports, and in particular basketball and tennis, along with investing and finance, he was ready to talk sports and stocks at the drop of the hat. He loved cheering on his beloved Michigan sports teams, the Tigers, Lions, Red Wings, and Spartans. He was always there for others as a coach and teacher throughout life, not only in classrooms, but also in supporting grandchildren with sports tips, and sharing life (and money) lessons with his kids and other relatives.

One of Paul's many mantras, in addition to "Patience!", was "Keep moving!", and he lived that motto to the fullest. You could always find him getting in his jogging miles, hitting "the tennis ball", swimming laps, riding "the bike", and walking and hiking for hours with his best friend for life, Deb. Retirement years brought time spent across St. Augustine beaches and the mountains of North Carolina, and Paul and Deb traveled the world together, making memories and experiencing life, to places that included Greece, Alaska, Italy, England, Germany. He was always up for an adventure.

Please join us in remembering Paul's love, laughter, and legacy. In lieu of flowers, please consider donating in Paul's name to the Duke GU Oncology Center where Paul received incredible support for decades, to help others battling for vital healthcare support, and to support the healthcare staff driving important research and care.

He will be greatly missed and is survived by his wife, Debbie, children Russell, Mitchell, Jennifer, and Christopher, and his grandchildren Branden, Jake, Evan, Easton, Colin, Harper, Savannah, Lorelei, Lily, Kate, and Claire, and by all of his students, colleagues, friends, neighbors, and random passerbys he touched throughout his life.

Known for enthusiastically singing his way through life, we expect that Paul is looking down on all of us now from above, singing loudly (whether in tune or not), and telling us that, as always, he's " Never better! ".