Sheldon Paley

Sheldon Paley, a man whose zest for life was as contagious as his laughter, passed away peacefully at the age of 88.
First and foremost, family and friends came first. He made you feel like you were the center of the world, and he revolved around you. His family and friends never doubted his love for him, as he made it a point to express his affection at every opportunity.
Sheldon's playful and silly nature shone brightest when he was with his
grandchildren. He delighted in singing songs and inventing creative ways to make them laugh, leaving them with cherished memories of their time together.
Sheldon had a love for the outdoors, and was an avid singles tennis player, often joking that doubles was for "the other people." His passion for tennis kept him on the court well into his 80s.
Graduating from the University of Pennsylvania School of Dentistry, Sheldon practiced dentistry for over 40 years, later transitioning into a very successful real-estate career for more than 25 years.
A proud founder of the Reynoldsburg Tomato Festival, Sheldon's love for parties and community spirit led him to create an event that brought joy to many. His enthusiasm for the festival was matched only by his fanaticism for the Cleveland Browns. Named the "Best Fan in Columbus, Ohio," Sheldon's dedication to his team was unwavering. Even while traveling to Dallas to visit his son, he was able to find a Browns Sports Bar enclave because he wore his leather Browns jacket everywhere he went.
A true adventurer at heart, Sheldon loved to travel and explore new places. His journeys took him to Israel, Greece, Spain, Portugal, Ireland, France, England, Italy, Switzerland, and the Caribbean. He also had a deep appreciation for the beauty of the United States, visiting all of the national parks.
Sheldon's love and legacy will be carried on by his devoted wife, Joyce Paley, and their children Mark (Claire Gajary) Paley, Robin (Norman) Link, Eileen (Brian Geigner) Paley, Julie (Jimmy) Smyth, and Victor (Amy) Fishman. Sheldon was also a cherished grandfather to Ryan Vanguilder, Hayden Paley, Jonah Paley, Shaelin Smyth, Darraugh Smyth, Conor Smyth, Abby Fishman, Rose Fishman, Ali Link, Brian Link, Keri Link, and Christopher Geigner. Sheldon's sister, Ruth Mendelevitz, also survives him. Sheldon was predeceased by his parents, Rueben and Rose Paley, his brother Martin Paley, and his grandson Justin Vanguilder.
As we remember Sheldon, we are reminded of his spirited demeanor, his commitment to his community and his dedication to his family. His life was a testament to the truth of this quote, "In the end, it's not the years in your life that count. It's the life in your years." Please join us in celebrating Sheldon's life by sharing your memories and photos on his memorial page.
Funeral services will be held at 1:00 PM on Wednesday, October 16, 2024 at Epstein Memorial Chapel, 3232 E. Main St. Interment will follow at Forest Lawn - Temple Israel. In lieu of flowers contributions in Sheldon's memory may be made to Pancreatic Cancer Action Network (www.pancan.org) or Temple Israel (www.templeisrael.org)