Paul Michael Kravitz, Jr.

MERIDEN - Paul Michael Kravitz Sr., 75, of Meriden passed away peacefully on Wednesday, Nov. 30, 2016, surrounded by his loving family. He was the beloved husband of Sheila (Corcoran) Kravitz for 52 years.

Born on Jan. 23, 1941, in Shenandoah, Pa., he was the son of the late Michael and Agnes Lavinsky Kravitz. Paul attended St. Rose School, Maloney High School, Southern Connecticut State University, and the Porter School of Engineering Design. He was employed as a regional sales manager by Veeder-Root Company for 20 years after which he became president and owner of Oilmen's Service and Supply Company located in Revere, Mass. Following his career in the petroleum industry, Paul was a dedicated employee of Hunter's Ambulance until his retirement. Paul was very civic minded and contributed with numerous volunteer efforts on behalf of the Meriden Elks Club, the Meriden Turner Society, and the St. Mary's Men's Club. He also served on the Board of Directors for the Boys and Girls Club of Meriden Alumni Association. He most recently served as vice-chairman of the YMCA's Y's Men Organization and coordinated their monthly speakership programs. Paul was an avid fisherman, golfer and an extremely talented athlete. He enjoyed teaching his family how to ski in Vermont and to fish, boat and waterski on Silver Lake and on Cape Cod Bay. As a stand-out football and basketball player at Maloney High School and a member of the first graduating class, he proudly scored the first basket for the Spartans. Paul's favorite teams were the Boston Red Sox and the New York Giants. He also enthusiastically followed Villanova University, UConn, and the University of Notre Dame - never missing a game.

Besides his wife Sheila, Paul is survived by his three loving children and their devoted spouses including Christine and Michael Quintiliani, of East Haven, Kathleen and Jonathan Scalzi, of Essex, and Paul Michael and Catherine Kravitz, of Hoboken, N.J. He also leaves behind his very dear sister-in-law, Mary (Corcoran) Urbanski, her husband, Richard, and their children, Kara Arundel and Beth White, and their families; along with many cousins; and lifelong friends.

The funeral will be held on Monday, Dec. 5, at 10 a.m. at St. Rose of Lima Church, 35 Center St., Meriden. Everyone is asked to meet directly at the church. Burial will be in Sacred Heart Cemetery. Family and friends may call at the John J. Ferry & Sons Funeral Home, 88 E. Main St., Meriden on Sunday, Dec. 4, from 2 to 5 p.m. In lieu of flowers, charitable donations in Paul's honor may be made to the Meriden Boys and Girls Club, 15 Lincoln St., Meriden, CT 06451 or to the Basilica of the National Shrine of the Immaculate Conception, 400 Michigan Ave., N.E., Washington, D.C. 20017. For online condolences please visit www.jferryfh.com.