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05/09/14 - NNHS Newsletter - Paul Gresham
Paul Granville Gresham Newport News High School Class of February 1946 |
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Dear Friends and Schoolmates,
We have more sad
if rather belated news
to report today.
Paul Gresham, Class of February 1946, passed away in
Philadelphia, Pennsylvania on Wednesday,
April 02, 2014 at the age of 85.
From The Daily Press - 05/09/14:
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PHILADELPHIA, PA - Paul
Granville Gresham died April 2, 2014 in Philadelphia, PA surrounded by
family after a heroic fight with cancer.
Paul was born on July 3, 1928 in Newport News, VA. He attended Newport News High School and Clemson College, where he majored in Engineering and played football as a defensive tackle. He continued his education at the Apprentice School of the Newport News Shipbuilding and Dry Dock Company, which led to his career as a designer. He served in the US Army, the National Guard and was a colonel in the Army Reserves. Paul was a consummate family man who loved music, literature, science and history. As an eclectic reader, he sat on the board of the Newport News Public Library. He was a deeply loved husband, father, grandfather and friend to many. |
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He leaves his beloved wife Laniere Gurley Gresham, his three children, Kathryn Gresham-Lancaster, Robin Gresham-Chin, and Paul David Gresham, their spouses, his five lovely and talented grandchildren and many treasured friends.
Paul's Memorial Service will
be held at 1:00 PM on Saturday, May 17th at the R. Hayden Smith Funeral
Home located on 245 S. Armistead Avenue
Hampton,
VA. Visitation will take place at the funeral home prior to the service
from 12:00 noon to 1:00 PM. View and post condolences on our online guestbook at
dailypress.com/guestbooks.
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May 09, 2014
We worked and carpooled
together at Newport News Shipbuilding in A P D. He was a dedicated worker and a good friend. He will be sadly missed by his family and many friends. We will keep his family in our prayers. God Bless, George & Alice McKenzie Matthews, NC
~ George McKenzie, Matthews,
North Carolina May 09, 2014
To the Paul Gresham Family my prayers and thoughts are with you,I knew
Paul from friendship and a neighbor in Perkins Court in Newport News. May 10, 2014
Paul was a talented and
dedicated designer who contributed much to the success of the
aircraft carriers designed and built at Newport News in the past few
decades. But he also was a natural leader, who often 'made things
happen' instead of just accepting what others might consider
inevitable or irreversable. He was the kind of guy you could call
upon to do the tough tasks, and on more than one occasion, Paul took
it on himself to do what needed to be done before being asked. He
was an outstanding example of the kind of dedicated designers the
apprentice program produced in the 1950's.
~ Bill Lee, Wesley Chapel, North Carolina Contact Me May 11, 2014
Paul was a lovely
man, from that generation of men that were not afraid to be
strong and sensitive at the same time. He and my father were
great friends. He always brought a smile to my face with his wit
and wisdom. A loving and generous husband, father, and friend.
To Lannie and the entire Gresham family, my heartfelt sorrow for
your loss. I enjoyed knowing Paul.
May 11, 2014
Paul will always be in my
memory from a friendship that grew out of a workplace relationship. We
enjoyed golfing together and sharing each other's company. Our prayers
are with the family for your loss. May the Lord comfort your hearts
during this time.
~ Bert Fowler, Hampton, Virginia May 12, 2014
My friendship with Paul and Laniere began in 1954 when we were
neighbors. I've never known a couple who were more in love and
dedicated to each other. Paul was a committed family man, a loving
husband and a great friend. He will be missed by so many. My heart
aches for Laniere, his children and grandchildren. ~ Marian Daniels May 13, 2014
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May 13, 2014
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Our deepest condolences are extended to Mr. Gresham's family and friends at this difficult time.
Hello Carol,
6-20-14
Below is some additional
information for the Paul Gresham Obit (newsletter for 5-9-14).
Feel free to edit.
Fred W. Field NNHS Class
of June 1945
==============================
I first met
Paul Gresham in the fall of 1938. After completing my four years at
Woodrow Wilson primary, I had entered the 5-low level at
Walter Reed
intermediate. The 5th grade was made up of three classes with
students coming from
Bankhead Magruder, Woodrow Wilson,
Thomas Jefferson and
George Washington
primary schools. My own class consisted of those from Woodrow
Wilson plus a sprinkling from Washington and Jefferson.
Although
Paul was in one of the other classes, I got to know him early for
two reasons: First, he had such a dynamic personality that
everyone in proximity quickly became aware of him. Second, he
was the grandson of Mom and Pop Gresham, owners of the extremely
popular confectionary located just across 25th Street from the
school. Paul often spent his lunch hour helping his grandparents
with the crowd.
We both
entered NNHS in Sept. 1941. Paul and
I tracked along at the same grade levels all the way through high
school until just before our scheduled graduation for June 1945. At
that point he chose to stay over for the Fall semester to play one
more season of football. His graduation was with the class of Feb.
1946. He is prominent in his class Anchor having been a husky 195 lb. tackle Letterman for seasons 1943, 44 and 45.
Sure to say - “Repeat that.” Admired for - “Athletic ability.” Always - “Reading a newspaper.”
My last meeting with Paul was in late 1947. I had just finished my Navy enlistment. Paul was waiting for a bus at the corner of 25th and Wickham. He was wearing the very distinctive uniform of an Army 82nd Airborne Division paratrooper.
On Dec. 19, 2001, my first cousin, George C. Wiatt (1915-1921) died and I learned from the obituary that Paul Gresham was one of the pallbearers. That news quickly put me in touch with Paul. We exchanged several letters in the next two years.
Later I
learned from another cousin,
Fred W. Field, NNHS Class of June, 1945
Hello Fred,
During my school years, we were neighbors with the Greshams. We were on Chesapeake Avenue, and they were on Braddock Road, overlooking Robinson Park. I knew his children, and still stay in touch with his daughter Robin.
Paul was
in a serious bridge group with my father,
Jeanie Lankes, HHS Class of 1972. OHH!
Thank you so much, Fred - and
Jeanie. You both have my sincerest sympathies on the loss of your
friend.
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Y'all take good care of each other! TYPHOONS FOREVER! We'll Always Have Buckroe!
Love to all, Carol
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NNHS CLASS OF '65 WEB SITE:
http://www.nnhs65.com
PERSONAL WEB SITE:
http://www.angelfire.com/weird2/cluckmeat
==============================================
Carol Buckley
Harty
7020 Lure Court
Fayetteville, NC 28311-9309
915-780-3048
Prelude No. 6
Composed by
Frédéric Chopin
(01 Mar 1810 - 17 Oct 1849)
Frederic Chopin's Prelude No. 6 midi courtesy of http://www.mfiles.co.uk/other-funeral.htm - 03/14/06
Greg Olsen Painting courtesy of http://gregolsengallery.com – 02/10/05
Animated Army Flag clip art courtesy of http://www.angelfire.com/ny4/KevsGifsGalore/Patriotic.html - 06/18/03
Blackwork Flowers Divider Line clip art courtesy of http://www.bravenet.com - 08/12/04