Paul L. Kline

Pine City

Age 102, passed away on Sunday November 20, 2022 after living a long and full life.

Well, Dad, you always said that you would make it to 103 and then "reevaluate" but it dawned on us that your 102nd birthday this past August 19th signaled your being here on Earth for 103 years so it looks as if you met your goal! No surprises there, however. You always kept your word. Proud to be the second son of William and Sara (Lucas) Kline, your birth in 1920 in Greensburg, PA was the beginning of a joy-filled, love-giving life. Greatly admired by your parents and seven siblings, you never shied away from any work on the family farm, nor any fun-filled activities or competition among your siblings with regards to music training, athletics, and overall shenanigans.

As WWII loomed, you stepped up and joined the Army Air Corps which was the start of your life-long fascination with all things aviation. Humble as you were, you didn't consider yourself a veteran because you "had not been shipped overseas." However, we saw it differently since you were pegged to train those pilots who did go abroad and you took that role so very seriously, just as you did when you segued out of the military and ultimately became an Air Traffic Controller, here in Elmira and as Air Traffic Control Tower Supervisor in Ithaca, from where you retired in 1985. Up until just recently, you would park your car at the Elmira-Corning Airport to watch planes come and go or reminisce about flying sailplanes off Harris Hill. Your love of flying remained with you until the end.

As passionate as you were regarding aviation, it paled in comparison to your love of and devotion to family. We will always recall your compassionate care for mom in her final days, over 27 years ago. Despite her loss, you maintained all family traditions that you and she had worked tirelessly, lovingly, and devotedly to foster. The three of us and each of your six grands knew you were the person they could….and did….turn to for words of encouragement, sage advice (especially about the weather when traveling!), great laughs, and the most unconditional of love.

We never doubted your unending love for all of us and we know you could tell that we all felt the same about you…and always will.

You loved your career, you adored your family, and you got a huge kick out of being with friends (heck, mother and you had quite the large circle of fun-loving friends for over 50 years!). Those three, coupled with your fabulous physical health and stamina, translated into a GREAT life. One we will miss enjoying with you but, by example, you taught us so well to lead ours the same way. We love you, we honor you, and we thank you….for everything. Left to continue on and blessed to have had you all these years are daughters, Karen Quinn of NJ, Paula Schmidt of MI, and Jo-Ann Spicher of GA; grandchildren, Christopher Quinn (Cara); Megan Quinn Davis (Tom); Molly Schmidt Bradley; Matthew Schmidt (Meghan); Katie Spicher; and Stephen Spicher (Sarah) along with a legacy of 9 great-grandchildren-Olivia, Noelle and Wynne Bradley, Silas and Marley Quinn, Greer Davis, Addie and Camden Schmidt, and Rhodes Spicher. Left behind as well are sisters, Iris Conte, Sally Baughman, and Barb Clark and 13 nieces and nephews. We rejoice as you join those whom you loved who went before you: your wife, our mother Estelle LaBrecque Kline, parents Bill and Sara Kline, brother Billy Kline, sisters Nancy Mahoney, Jane Love, and Louise Olson and son-in-law Tom Quinn (the two of you enjoyed so many great times, Super Bowl visits, and Mets games together!)

CAVU, Paul, Dad, Poppy aka Pop or Gramps, "PK", and Uncle Paul.

Family and friends will be received at Caywood's Funeral Home & Gardens, 1126 Broadway St. Southport/Elmira on Sat. Nov. 26, 2022 between the hours of 9:30 a.m. – 11:00 a.m. Funeral services will follow at 11:15 a.m. with graveside services to follow in St. Peter & Paul's Cemetery and where military honors will be accorded Mr. Kline. In lieu of flowers the family requests that memorials be directed to St. Jude Children's Research Hospital, www.stjude.org or the C.C.N.F. Resident Memorial Fund, 103 Washington St. Elmira, NY 14901 in his memory.