Sherman, Paul F.

DELMAR - Paul F. Sherman, 86, died Thursday, July 18, 2013 at Albany Medical Center. Born in Syracuse, NY, he was the son of the late Paul and Isabelle (Coyne) Sherman. Paul was a graduate of Central Vocational High School in Syracuse and upon graduation enlisted in the U.S. Navy, from which he was honorably discharged in 1946. He began a 37 year career with the New York Telephone Company in 1947, working his way from lineman to District Manager for Yellow Pages Operations.

Paul was the beloved husband of 64 years of Noreen (Mahoney) Sherman; father of Paul J. (Mary P.) Sherman, Michael R. Sherman, Kathleen A. (Stephen) Sutter, Margaret S. (Stanley) Wong and Mary T. Bergquist; brother of Beverly Dever and Carl (Barbara) Sherman all of Syracuse, NY; grandfather of Paul Scott Sherman, Trish (Don) Robbins, Corrie S. (John) Schrader, Meghan S. (Todd) Cater, Lauren Lester, Gregory Wong, Peter Bergquist, Patrick Bergquist and Sarah Wong. He is also survived by five great-grandchildren and numerous nieces and nephews.

Paul was a communicant of the Church of St. Thomas the Apostle in Delmar where he served as an usher and a founding member of the pastoral care ministry. He was an avid Yankee enthusiast and an accomplished bowler and golfer. Paul’s hobbies included card playing (poker, bridge and pitch) and jigsaw puzzles of innumerable complexity.

Paul was instrumental in developing one of the first emergency call box communication systems for the City of Syracuse, a system that became the prototype of emergency systems throughout the United States. He was a member of the Telephone Pioneers of America and Normanside Country Club where he served as its House Chairman. He also volunteered for many years as a driver for Bethlehem Senior Services.

Paul will be remembered for his deep love and devotion to his family and friends.

The family wishes to thank the staff at Albany Medical Center’s M4 Unit for their care and comfort in Paul’s final days.

A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated at 9:30 a.m. Thursday, July 25, 2013 at the Church of St. Thomas the Apostle, 35 Adams Pl., Delmar. Relatives and friends are invited and may also call at the Daniel Keenan Funeral Home, 490 Delaware Ave., Albany on Wednesday, July 24, 2013 from 4 to 8 p.m. Interment will be in Our Lady Help of Christians Cemetery, Glenmont.

In lieu of flowers, contributions to Bethlehem Senior Projects, Inc. 445 Delaware Ave., Delmar, NY 12054 would be appreciated.