Paul J. Kessler

01/08/1947 - 02/05/2005

Paul J. Kessler III, 58, of Maumee, Ohio, passed away Saturday, Feb. 5, 2005, in Maumee, Ohio, his home. He was born Jan. 8, 1947, in Latrobe, to Paul and Mary Kessler. Paul obtained his B.A. in psychology from St. Vincent College in Latrobe, M.A. in counseling from Indiana University of Pennsylvania in Indiana, and his Ed.D. in psycho-educational process-organizational development from Temple University in Philadelphia. Paul was most recently employed as the first lay president of Mercy College of Northwest Ohio, Toledo. Under his leadership, the college enjoyed great success. Enrollment tripled, new degree programs were added and its first satellite campus opened in Youngstown, Ohio. While leading the college, it was especially important to Paul to embrace and highlight the Catholic identity of the college. Drawing on his personal background, he led and oversaw the significant renovations of the college's St. Joseph Chapel. He also encouraged faculty and students to incorporate the mission and values of the Sisters of Mercy and the Sisters of Charity (Grey Nuns) into the college experience. Prior to work at Mercy, Paul was provost and vice president for academic affairs at the University of Dubuque, Dubuque, Iowa; vice president at Mount Aloysius College, Cresson, Pa.; dean of instruction, Terry Campus, Delaware Technical and Community College, Dover, Del.; executive director, Peoples Place, Milford, Del.; coordinator of Community Mental Health Center and director of personnel, clinical psychologist and director of Consulting and Educational Unit at Beebe Hospital, Lewes, Del.; and psychologist at Torrance State Hospital, Torrance, Pa. Paul served in the U.S. Army as a finance specialist at Fort Hood, Killeen, Texas. Paul was deeply committed to each organization to which he belonged over the years. He was an active board member of the Cambria-Somerset Council for the Education of Health Professionals; United Way of Blair County; Blair County Respiratory Disease Society; Blair County Children and Youth Agency; Hiltop House; Adelphoi Village; Federal Corrections Institution, Loretto, Pa.; and National Graduate School, Falmouth, Mass. He was very active in the Diocese of Altoona/Johnstown as a member of the Liturgical Commission, Pastoral Liturgy Committee, Permanent Deaconate Committee, Lay Ministry Development and Diocesan Parish Study as the Allegheny Deanery Facilitator. Paul was awarded the Gallitzin Cross from Bishop Joseph in 1994. He was active in the Rotary Club of Altoona-Sunrise as the charter president and on the board of directors. He was the recipient of the Paul Harris Fellow in 1991 and 1997. Additional related experiences: Paul was a reviewer of the Title 111 Grant; evaluator for Middle States Association of Colleges and Schools; international consultant of curriculum and degree development at Universidad de Panama; leadership and staff development of college presidents and deans at Republic of China (Taiwan); consultant for the state approving agency for reviewing the M.S. in total quality program of Anna Maria College at Fort Dix, N.J. Paul is survived by his loving wife, Joan (Kintz), of 35 years; sons, Dr. Brian (Dr. Ioanna) Kessler and Matthew (Genavieve) Kessler; grandchildren, Katherine Grace and Ethan Paul; sister, Margo (John) Cook; and numerous relatives. He was preceded in death by his parents, Paul and Mary Kessler. Paul was a very loving and devoted husband, father and grandfather and had the most unique sense of humor. Paul enjoyed time on the computer, reading, traveling, creative cooking, entertaining and spending time with family and friends. Friends and family may visit from 2 to 9 p.m. Wednesday at the J. JEFFREY FRETTI FUNERAL HOME, 5045 W. Sylvania Ave. (at Corey Road), Toledo, Ohio, 419-843-1117, where prayers will be recited at 9:15 a.m. Thursday, followed by a Celebration of Life Mass at 10 a.m. at the Historic Church of St. Patrick with Father Michael Billian as celebrant. Additional visitation will be Friday from 2 to 9 p.m. at the JOHN J. LOPATICH FUNERAL HOME INC., 601 Weldon St., Latrobe, 724-537-2001. The Kessler family and friends will celebrate Paul's life with a Mass at St. Vincent Basilica in Latrobe at 10 a.m. Saturday. Interment will follow in St. Vincent Cemetery, Latrobe. The Kessler family would like to extend their heartfelt thanks and gratitude to all family and friends for their love, kindness and support. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to: McAuley Fund of Mercy College, 2221 Madison Ave., Toledo, OH 43624-1132; St. Vincent Archabbey, 300 Fraser Purchase Road, Latrobe, PA 15650-2690; Mother Gail Fitzpatrick, Abbess, Our Lady of the Mississippi Abbey, 8408 Abbey Hall, Dubuque, IA, 52003-9576; Abbot Brendan Freeman, New Melleray Abbey, 6632 Melleray Circle, Peosta, IA, 52068-7079; or Hospice of Northwest Ohio, 30000 E. River Road, Perrysburg, OH 43551.