Obituary of Paul E. Wickert

PAUL E. WICKERT Paul E. Wickert, age 84, passed away peacefully at St. Peter's Hospital on March 8, 2024 wrapped up in the love of his devoted family. Paul was born in Albany, New York on February 26, 1940, son of the late John Sr. and Sophie Wickert. As a young boy, Paul spent countless hours exploring the outdoors, where he initially developed his lifelong love for nature and wildlife. He graduated from Albany High School in 1959, at which time he served in the New York Army National Guard in the 27th and 227th Signal Battalions until his honorable discharge in 1965. Paul enjoyed his time working as a floor guard at Guptill's Roller Skating Arena for many years, where he first met the love of his life, Debbie Faith. Paul had many friends at Guptill's, and returned year after year to lead the Grand March at Old Timers' Night, an annual tradition for his generation to reunite and skate to the music of their time. Paul and Debbie married on December 20,1975. Together, they had two children - Jennifer and Justin - who adored him beyond measure and for whom he modeled kindness, sacrifice, a tremendous work ethic, and the best sense of humor. From humble beginnings and over the course of his lifetime together with his wife Debbie, Paul poured his whole heart and many talents turning his family's house into a beautiful home, taking great pride in his beautiful landscaping and especially his perfectly green, perfectly kept lawn. Paul was his children's number one fan, spending many hours cheering them on at the pool and the bowling alley. For many years, Paul loved vacationing each summer at Sun Castle in Lake George, creating a lifetime of wonderful family memories swimming, fishing, boating, feeding the ducks, toasting marshmallows on the charcoal grill, and shouting to the Minne-Ha-Ha "blow your horn!" Paul worked at Niagara Mohawk at the Albany Steam Station in Glenmont for thirty years until he retired in 2002, where he was affectionately known as "Wick" by his treasured co-workers. He was honored with the Spirit of Light Award in 1986 in recognition of his significant contributions to Niagara Mohawk's safety objectives. In 1992, he completed Niagara Mohawk's Leadership Program, which served him well when he was one of many public servants who answered the call to Watertown, NY during the Great Ice Storm of 1998 that knocked out power for hundreds of thousands of Northern New Yorkers. Paul loved his years at "NiMo" and especially, sharing his favorite fishing spot there with his son Justin, where they spent hours casting their lines in the Hudson River. Paul also was a self-employed painter and paperhanger for decades, a love he never outgrew, with his more recent projects focusing on his home and the homes of his children. He was a member of IBEW Local 97 for over fifty years, was also once a member of Painters Local 201, and was a life member of the Watervliet-Colonie Elks Club for the past forty-eight years. Since retiring, Paul lived the humble and simplistic life he designed and adored, enjoying his wife's delicious cooking and their weekend restaurant outings, attending daily mass and greeting the parishioners at Our Lady of the Assumption Church, doing crossword puzzles and the daily jumble, watching golf, bowling, nature shows, and the news (especially the weather!), and feeding his backyard birds in the winter months and watching them year round, particularly the cardinals. He loved being at home, both indoors and out, and at the homes of his children, where he and Debbie treasured time with them and their grandchildren over many holidays and celebrations. From plays at Proctors Theatre and three-mile walks every day with his daughter Jennifer during the pandemic, to fishing and hanging out at the baseball field with his son Justin, to attending countless school celebrations, plays, and ball games with Matthew, Bryce, Julian, Jack, and Ellery. Paul's whole heart was wrapped up in spending special time with his wife, children, and grandchildren, who loved their Poppy to the moon and back. Paul was a boundlessly kind, unassuming, and gentle man, with a smile or helping hand for anyone he encountered. He will be dearly missed by so many, but especially his wife Debbie, Jennifer, Justin, Mickey, Lindsy, and his grandchildren. And because he never really retired, he worked right up until this past fall as a ranger at the Mill Road Acres Golf Course, where he enjoyed meeting people, the fresh air, watching golf, and working as hard at 83 years old as he did throughout his whole life, dating back to his first jobs delivering newspapers, setting bowling pins, and lifeguarding. Paul is survived by his loving wife of 48 years, Deborah M. (Faith) Wickert, his devoted children Jennifer (Mickey) Houlihan and Justin (Lindsy) Wickert, and his beloved grandchildren Matthew Paul and Jack Houlihan, Bryce and Ellery Wickert, and Julian Gildea, along with his brothers-in-law Jack Stinson and John Faith Jr., sister-in-law Janice Faith, and many nieces, nephews, and cousins. He was predeceased by his parents, John Sr. and Sophie Wickert, siblings John Wickert Jr. and Carol (Wickert) Perry, beloved aunt and uncle Elizabeth and Francis Kowalskey, and sister-in-law Cathelene Stinson. Paul's family would like to thank his wonderful doctors, the amazing nurses, and supportive patient care technicians who cared for him over the past few months, with special thanks to Father Tallman of St. Peter's and Paul's pastor and friend, Father Burke, who on a moment's notice and late at night, both arrived at Paul's bedside to pray over him in his final hours. Relatives and friends are invited and may call on Wednesday, March 13, 2024 from 4:00 pm to 7:00 pm at Dufresne & Cavanaugh Funeral Home at 149 Old Loudon Road in Latham. Paul's Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated on Thursday, March 14, 2024 at 10:00 am at Our Lady of the Assumption Church at 498 Watervliet-Shaker Road in Latham with the Rev. Geoffrey Burke officiating. Internment will immediately follow at St. Patrick's Cemetery at 150 Troy-Schenectady Road in Watervliet. In lieu of flowers, those wishing to remember Paul in a special way may send a contribution to the American Heart Association. To leave condolences for the family or share a special memory of Paul, please visit dufresneandcavanaugh.com.