Harold "Jim" Paluh

Harold "Jim" Paluh, 90, died peacefully at his home on Thursday February 29, 2024.

He was born May 24, 1933 a son to the late John E. and Francis (Anderson) Paluh.

Jim attended East High School and upon graduation he enlisted into the United States Airforce in 1952. He served with the Headquarters 479th Air Base Group, George Air Force Base. Jim's service was dedicated to maintenance of the fleet of aircraft leaving the base on a daily basis. He was awarded the National Defense Service Medal and the Good Conduct Medal, attaining the rank of Airman First Class. Upon his Honorable Discharge from the service, Jim joined a new brotherhood with the Erie City Police, forging friendship during his 20 years of service. He and his family then took a turn South, moving to Florida, while in Florida, Jim spent 7 years as Head of Security for an area power plant. Not one to sit still, Jim and his family returned to the Erie area where he took his final job as a Campus Security Guard at Gannon University finally retiring from the work force, but alas, never slowing down.

Throughout his entire life, Jim was a man of his own accord, with an appreciation for self-teaching and with a do-it-yourself outlook on life, which served him well and he readily shared through teaching of his children, family, and friends.  Jim's heart lay with his family, home, and the great outdoors; reflected by the home he personally built, the woodworking gifts that he shared, the time outdoors with family and friends, and even through the fishing boat he lovingly fashioned to his liking by hand.  As a lifelong student to the wild, Jim spent time studying a wide range of topics but favorites included books about foraging, Jim shared a wealth of knowledge of plants, animals and mushrooms. He had a memory sharp as a tack, whether it be in written word, topography, or politics. An accomplished outdoorsman, Jim maintained a strict "Camo-only" dress code. A legendary hunter and fisher, Jim shared both stories and dinner with friends and family.  Jim studied the craft: he tied his own flies, harvested turkey and deer annually, competed in numerous archery tournaments, and called in flocks of turkey.  But above all else, the best times were when family and friends, and his trusted dog Bandit, were by his side. He was a member of the S.O.N.S. of Lake Erie, and the Girard American Legion Post #494.

In addition to his parents he was preceded in death by his brothers, Walter, Larry, John, and David Paluh and a brother in infancy; a sister, Carol Grochowski.

He will be greatly missed by his family which include his wife, Flossie (Jones) Paluh whom he married on September 20, 1975; daughters, Debra Mann (Donald), Cheryl Yankosky, Beatrice Mattix (James); sons, Steve Paluh (Gloria), Jim Paluh (Kathy); grandchildren, Denise Mann, Christy Dixon, Patrick Paluh, Daniel Paluh (Maggie), Katie Dillen (Kirk), and Kyle Paluh; multiple great-grandchildren including, Mackenzie Dillen; as well as many nieces and nephews, including, Tim, Wendy, and Jay Yankosky, and Amy-Joe Mattix.

In lieu of flowers memorials may be made to the S.O.N.S. of Lake Erie  PO Box 3605

Erie, Pennsylvania 16508

Friends may call on Tuesday March 5, 2024 from 4:00pm to the time of service at 7:00pm. at the Edder Funeral Home Inc. 309 Main St. E. Girard. Private Burial will be held at Venango Cemetery.

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