Obituary of Paul J. Grekalski

Paul J. "PJ" Grekalski of 22 Valley View Drive, Frewsburg, passed away Thursday (September 18, 2014, in UMPC Hamot, Erie, PA following cardiac surgery. He was born September 24, 1947, In Franklinville, NY, a son of the late John "Jack" and Jenny Grekalski. Paul was a graduate of Archbishop Walsh Academy, Olean, NY, and received a bachelor's degree in Business Administration in 1969 as an ROTC candidate at St. Bonaventure University. Later, he would graduate from Oswego College with a Master of Science in Education degree and a certificate of Advanced Study in Instructional Administration Principal. He was a proud veteran of the US Army, serving as a 1st Lieutenant during the Vietnam War. He was the recipient of the Silver Star Medal for meritorious action and awarded a Bronze Medal for ground combat in Vietnam. He was appointed a Reserve Commissioned Officer of the Army and later served as a Captain in the Army National Guard, all with honorable discharge. Paul was inducted into the St. Bonaventure University ROTC Hall of Fame April 28, 2001 and received the Outstanding Service Award being recognized as a war hero by the Far West Council of Superintendents of Erie 2 BOCES. The extent of his experiences are almost too many to mention. They range from paperboy, lifeguard, farm worker, construction laborer, house painter, travel director, Boy Scout camp counselor, teacher, coach, high school principal at Madison Central School, Assistant Superintendent at Central Square, college instructor for Bryant and Stratton, school business consultant (Dare to Lead), presenter of 7 Habits of Highly Effective People, college professor at St. Bonaventure University and Fredonia State College and executive coach, Boston, MA. Paul was an Eagle Scout and owned and operated two small businesses. The majority of his time was spent serving Frewsburg Central School as school superintendent. His service began July 1986 and ended June 2004 at which time he was hired as a school superintendent at Orchard Park Central School District, retiring in 2005. Paul was honored to be the Frewsburg School superintendent. He had passion, commitment and love for the students, faculty, board members and community. Even after he left Frewsburg School, he always held them in a special place in his heart. Paul traveled to 39 states and 17 countries. He attended professional conferences in twelve different cities and twenty two state conferences. He will be remembered as having a voracious appetite for life, a humorous and optimistic outlook and deep devotion to his family. He is irreplaceable and will be sadly missed and loved forever. Surviving are his wife the former Donna Ludwig, whom he married August 13, 1977 and again October 14, 2011, sharing thirty three years of marriage together; their children Joseph Grekalski and Amber Grekalski, both of Frewsburg; a brother Michael (Yvonne)Grekalski of Lake Saint Louis, MO; sister Martha (Joe) Farrell of Brentwood, TN; niece Kimberly Grekalski of Colorado; and nephews Matthew Grekalski of Colorado and Colin Farrell of Boston, MA. Besides his parents he was preceded in death by a son Paul J. Grekalski II. A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated at 11 a.m. Wednesday in St. Bonaventure University Chapel. Father Dan Riley will be celebrant. Burial will be in St. Bonaventure Cemetery will full military honors. Friends will be received from 2-4 and 6-8 p.m. Tuesday in the Lind Funeral Home. In lieu of flowers memorials may be made to St. Susan Center, PO Box 1276, Jamestown, NY 14702-1276. You may light a candle in remembrance of Paul at www.lindfuneralhome.com.