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BORN
1928
DIED
2020
Paul Raszmann Obituary
Brooktondale - Paul R. Raszmann, age 91, passed away Tuesday, August 25, 2020 at Cayuga Medical Center. Prior to his death he had made his home with his daughter Sarah and her family for almost three years. Every Sunday night four generations were together for dinner.
Born September 5, 1928 in Crosby, PA he was the son of the late John and Lydia Grantier Raszmann and husband of the late Elizabeth "Beth" Raszmann who died in 2013. Paul was an elementary school teacher; starting his career at Candor Central School then transferring to the Ithaca City School District first at Cayuga Heights Elementary and then South Hill Elementary. He retired in 1987. Paul was a US Army Veteran and member of Brooktondale Baptist Church for over 60 years.
Paul is survived by his daughters, Mary Elizabeth Gessini of Brooktondale, NY, Sarah Louise Myers of Groton, NY and Deborah Susan Payton of Malone, NY; grandchildren, Jared Paul Marion, Jessica Cressie MacDonald, Anna Marie Payton, John Paul Payton and Christopher Robert Payton; seven great grandchildren, Charles Jackson Edward MacDonald, Mackenzie Evelyn MacDonald, Adeline Louise MacDonald, Gwenivieve Grace MacDonald, Kailey Renee Marion, Ila Geona Payton and Cameron Jaxson Beane and many nieces and nephews. In addition to his parents and wife, Paul was predeceased by siblings, Fredrick, Herbert, Margaret, Kenneth and Arthur.
Private graveside services with military honors will be held in Greensprings Natural Cemetery, Newfield with members of the Dryden Veterans Memorial Home Ritual Team officiating. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be directed to Rescue Mission, 155 Gifford St., Syracuse, NY 13202 or SPCA of Tompkins County, 1640 Hanshaw Rd., Ithaca, NY 14850. Perkins Funeral Home is assisting the family. www.perkinsfh.com
To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.
Memories and Condolences
for Paul Raszmann
Sponsored by The Ithaca Journal.
Brian Barnett
August 19, 2024
Still my fondest memories of South Hill School were Friday afternoons with his guitar and songs !!!
Steven Grossvogel
April 26, 2022
My most sincere condolences to the Raszmann family. Mr. Raszmann is the only elementary school teacher whose personality I can distinctly remember: he could combine discipline and kindness seamlessly. He was amusing and entertaining while at the same time having high expectations of all his students. Everyone in class looked forward to when Mr. Raszmann would take his guitar and we would all sing "I'd like to be a cowboy, but I'm afraid of cows" and "I can remember the day that I was born," not to mention several other very amusing songs. Who can forget the softball games that took place outdoors, and were sometimes reenacted indoors when Mr. Raszmann would throw erasers at his students, and our classmate, Fred Wilcox, used his mitt to catch them. Like Hans Erdman, I too was in Mr. Raszmann's class the day JFK was assassinated; and I remember him telling the class about the challenges and risks presidents took. I also remember happier days, like when one of his daughters was born. If my memory serves me right, he was actually in class that day; and the following day was the only day we had a substitute teacher. Mr. Raszmann was a truly dedicated teacher. Some of my best childhood memories are thanks to him.
Hans L Erdman
November 22, 2020
Mr. Raszmann was also my 4th-grade teacher. He would throw erasers at me, Johnny, and Geoff if we weren't paying attention. I remember the softball games, and the Friday afternoon guitar and sing-along. I still remember "Grasshopper Sitting in a Sweet Potato Vine" (Second verse, same as the first!) and "Skybolt Paint." And today, in particular, I remember the Friday we didn't sing. November 22, 1963. Mr. R. and all the teachers were called down to the office and he came back to tell us the president had been assassinated in Dallas. He was always one of my favorite teachers. Good memories.
Brian Barnett
August 31, 2020
Mr. Raszmann was my teacher for two years and without a doubt my favorite ever ....strict to the point and every Friday afternoon he would break out his quitar and sing songs that I remember to this day !!!!!! Rest in piece sir.
Amy (Liebeskind) Schultz
August 28, 2020
My deepest condolences to Mr. Raszmann's family. I was another of Mr. Raszmann's Cayuga Heights 4th graders, and he made every day an adventure and a joy. We sang, we played softball, he read to us, and we dodged blackboard erasers ... we loved him and he made such a difference in our lives!
John Matyas
August 27, 2020
Mr. Raszmann was my fourth grade teacher at Cayuga Heights School the first year I moved to Ithaca, where my family and I lived and went to school for nearly forty years. Although I haven't seen Mr. Raszmann for nearly half a century, I remember fondly being welcomed into the community that year and his caring and inspiring ways as a teacher. I am certain there are many like me with stories and fond memories about your father, grandfather, or great-grandfather. Know that his life's work was greatly appreciated as he rests in peace.
Linda Budinger
August 26, 2020
He was one of my favorite teachers. He played guitar for us.
Linda Crispell
August 26, 2020
Sarah and family, I'm so sorry for your loss. I'll be praying for you all as you celebrate his life and find comfort in our Heavenly Father as you miss him.
Heather Kelly-Myers
August 26, 2020
My deepest condolences to Mr Raszmann's family. He was my 4th grade teacher at South Hill and I remember fondly Friday sing a longs and square dancing. We had so much fun. He was a wonderful teacher! I loved running into him at P&C. He and your mother were 2 of my favorite teachers at South Hill. May he soar with the Angels and rest in peace with the lord.
Janet Watkins
August 25, 2020
Sympathy to the family. He was my teacher at Cayuga Heights and remember his playing guitar and signing. Teachers such has he have an impact and their students. I only have good memories of that year.
Tena Emerson
August 25, 2020
Rest in peace Uncle. I always loved watching you, dad and your brothers play and sing. Such fond memories of you. The last song I heard was Grandma Ludia' favorite. He walks with me in the garden. Forever in my heart
Linda Deeb kemp
August 25, 2020
My sincere sympathy to Mr. Raszmann’s family. He was my most memorable teacher as a child. His class was so much fun and friday was sing along Day when he brought his guitar. My Raszmann was my 4th grade teacher at Cayuga Heights in 1957. I’m now 71 and have never forgotten him ♥
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