Paul Richard Wenz Jr

Paul Richard Wenz, Jr., son of Paul and Dorothy Wenz was born on April 1st, 1932 and went to be with his Lord and Savior on June 29, 2011. He is survived by his wife, Joan, daughter, Debra and her husband, Tony Chiarello and daughter, Cheryl Wenz; grandchildren, Anthony Chiarello & his wife Brandi, Maryssa Chiarello, and Andrea & TJ Nelson; his brother George Wenz & his wife Carol; as well as many other family members who loved him dearly. He is preceded in death by his parents, and brothers Malcolm & David.



Paul grew up in Lakeview on Long Island, New York and moved to Mineola, NY in his early teens. He spent much of his free time at the horse stables, playing football and baseball, or working with his father. He and his brothers were full of energy and provided their parents with plenty of comic relief. He learned to operate heavy equipment when he was 14 years old, which became his life's work. He enlisted in the Army and spent 3 years serving his country, including 18 months in the Korean War. He was in the Army Corps of Engineers, operating heavy equipment, building roads for the troops and digging trenches - he prepared the way for the "front lines", and slept on his "dozer" for weeks at a time, eating rations and trying to keep warm.



Paul married Joan Jacoby on December 27, 1952, while he was on a short leave from the Army. When he returned state side, they settled in Levittown, New York where they lived for 25 years.



When he was 22 years old, he accepted Christ as his personal Savior, which began his life of service to his Lord, the church and his community. Paul and Joan attended First Baptist Church of Merrick, where he served as a trustee, deacon, usher, Christian Service Brigade leader, Sunday School teacher for the 6th grade boys, and drove the Sunday School bus. He loved his duty as "greeter", making visitors to the church feel welcome with his warm smile and strong hand shake. He also dug the basement for the "new" church building in 1959.



Paul worked in Local Union 138 of the Operating Engineers from 1954 until his retirement in 1994. He operated any and all heavy equipment, including bulldozers, graders, pay loaders and CMI pavement machines. He also taught at the Union Apprentice School for over 10 years, he loved teaching new operators the tricks of the trade. Dad felt blessed to enjoy his life's work, which he described as "playing in the dirt". What boy wouldn't love it!?



Paul was a Volunteer Fire Fighter for the Wantagh Fire Department, Station 2, Engine 2 for 15 years, where he served as President, Chaplin and even Santa Clause! He loved serving his community and working with his fellow fire fighters.



They moved to Centereach, New York, in 1978, where they joined Three Village Church. Once again, Paul threw himself into service of this new church.



When Paul retired, they moved to Wilmington, North Carolina to live near his daughter, Debra and her family. He loved his weekly golf games, woodworking, floating in the pool, visiting with friends, and being everyone's "handy man." Paul and Joan joined Grace Baptist Church, and enjoyed fellowship and friends in that congregation.



Volunteering in many capacities he believed was his life's calling, and his way of serving his Lord. He spent many hours volunteering at church, at the fire department, at Camp Cherith (Cedarbrook) in the Adirondacks and Camp Hope and Joy in the Catskills. He loved helping his family and friends, doing "odd jobs", and being a great listener and confidant.



Paul had been ill for several years, fighting a rare bone marrow failure disorder called "aplastic anemia", which left his body unable to produce enough blood to sustain him. He required hundreds of blood transfusions over the years, and the disease took its toll on his body. We are thankful he was at home, in his favorite lounge chair, when he peacefully and quickly left this earth for his Heavenly home, with Joan by his side.



Our precious father was a gentle soul, a very loving and kind man - yet a source of enormous strength to our family. His faith was rock solid, and he was ready to meet his Savior in Heaven. Never afraid, never complaining, Dad believed God had a plan for him, even in illness. He was an extraordinary man, loving husband, amazing father, proud grandfather, and faithful friend.



It is fitting that it was the dear McKinney fire fighters who came to his home to care for him in his final moments, and for this we are extremely grateful.



Paul's family will receive friends for a visitation Tuesday July 5, 2011 from 7 - 9 PM at Allen Family Funeral Options. A memorial service to honor Paul's life will be held on Wednesday July 6, 2011 at 3:00 PM at Prestonwood Baptist Church North Campus. 1001 W. Prosper Trail, Prosper, TX. 75078



If desired, donations may be made to the Prestonwood Baptist Church North Campus building fund, www.prestonwood.org/north/ministries--missions/give-online/ ; as well as the Aplastic Anemia and MDS Foundation, www.aamds.org, 100 Park Avenue, Suite 108, Rockville, Maryland 20850, donations can be made by mail or website.