Paul Vincent Severin

Paul Vincent Severin, of Ashland, Va., died Thursday, April 6. He was 87. The son of Czechoslovakian immigrants, he was born and grew up in Natrona, Pa. A graduate of UNC at Chapel Hill, Mr. Severin was the first UNC football player to earn Associated Press All-American status in his junior and senior years, and his jersey was retired at the University of North Carolina in 2003. After college, he enlisted in the U.S. Navy and served in WWII. After the war, Mr. Severin coached football, first at the University of Florida, and then as head coach at Randolph-Macon College in Ashland. He enjoyed a successful and distinguished career with the Equitable Life Assurance Society of America. Mr. Severin was national chairman of The Walter Hagen Golf Tournament, a benefit for the American Cancer Society. He is perhaps best remembered as a golfer. Among his many accomplishments were: 1976 North-South Senior Championship at Pinehurst Country Club, five time RGA Seniors Champion, and the VSGA Seniors Champion. At one time, Mr. Severin was ranked number six senior amateur golfer by Golf Digest. He enjoyed the game well into his eighties. Mr. Severin was predeceased by his wife of 56 years, Carolyn Powell. He is survived by three daughters, Rebecca Severin and her husband, John Kandrac, Nancy S. and her husband, John Cooper, and Mary Kathryn Severin; three sons, Paul Jr. and his wife, Pat, Padgett and his wife, Kim, and Powell and his wife, Melissa; 16 grandchildren; two sisters, Veronica Kubany and Lena Rusiewicz, of Natrona, Pa.; and several nieces and nephews. Friends may call at the Nelsen Funeral Home, Reid Chapel, 412 S. Washington Hwy., Ashland, on Sunday, April 9, from 2 to 4 and 6 to 8 p.m. A Mass of the Resurrection will be held at St. Ann's Church in Ashland, Monday, April 10 at 10 a.m. Interment private. In lieu of flowers, memorial gifts may be made to the Randolph-Macon College Yellow Jacket Club, 304 Henry St., Ashland, Va. or St. Ann's Catholic Church Building Fund, 105 S. Snead St., Ashland, Va. 23005.