| Date of Birth | October 9, 1955 |
| Date Deceased | August 4, 2021 |
| Hometown | Hornell |
| Home State | N.Y. |
| Service Date | August 10, 2021 |
| Service Time | 11 a.m. |
| Service Location | United Presbyterian Church, Hornell |
Paul E. McAnany
HORNELL-Paul E. McAnany, 65, passed away Wednesday (August 4, 2021), at his home in Hornell, surrounded by his family, after a brief illness. He grew up in Hornell in the Grey House on Erie Avenue, the son of Jack and Mildred McAnany, brother of Eileen, Jack, and Mark. He met his lifelong love, Jeanne (LaBarron) McAnany at Hornell High School, and went on to study Civil Engineering at the New York State Maritime College and the University at Buffalo. His distinguished career as a professional engineer began with several years as a founding partner of Bergmann Associates in Rochester before returning to Hornell with his young family in 1984 to begin thirty-two years of engineering and leadership work for the NY State Department of Transportation. He was a valued leader at work as well as in our community, serving 15 years on the Hornell City School Board of Education, including four terms as president. He also volunteered as an adult leader for 35 years with the Five Rivers Council of the Boy Scouts of America, and was honored in 2008 with the Silver Beaver award. In his retirement, he spent many hours maintaining and improving local sections of the Finger Lakes Trail as part of the NYSATE trail crew. He was as enthusiastic about stepping up to his civic duties as he was about stepping up to the bar at Paddy’s for his weekly participation in Wednesday night’s Mug Club. Mug numbers 53, 91, 93, 37 and 3 solved many of the world’s problems over their weekly pints.
A great student of Civil War history, Abraham Lincoln, and history in general, he read widely on these topics and never tired of visiting battle fields and museums. Paul and Jeanne traveled as much as possible with their kids while they were young, and, more recently, embraced the freedom of retirement: road-tripping, camping, visiting family, exploring National Parks and other destinations, and spending as much time as possible with their granddaughters Maggie and Mabel in San Diego. Paul’s travels included eight trips “across the pond” to Ireland, becoming a knowledgeable tour guide for his many return trips with the lucky friends and family members who joined him. Undoubtedly, there are many readers of this obituary who count themselves lucky to have shared a Guinness with Paul, and recall his love of dad jokes, good stories and vociferous arguments about history, politics, and the best way to do anything. If someone needed wisdom and expertise to begin or execute a home improvement project or advice for a variety of life’s complications, small or large, Paul would be called upon. His loved ones knew him to be skillful, creative, compassionate and steady in all of life’s ups and downs. In Jeanne and Paul’s house on Walnut Street there is a ceiling beam he designed, to remove a narrow hallway, creating an open and welcoming foyer. In the Roberts’ home on Maplewood Avenue there is another beam he engineered to open wide a kitchen addition that became the setting of many family parties. What an apt symbol of Paul’s role in our lives: a structural beam, a sturdy support designed to make our family homes more spacious, expanding the space to be filled with more life and love.
Paul left us all too soon. He joins in heaven his parents, Jack and Mildred; Jeanne’s parents Ray and Mary LaBarron (and Mary Trouslot LaBarron). He is survived by Jeanne, his beloved wife of forty-four years, and his children: Patrick (Jenny) McAnany with granddaughters Maggie and Mabel, Steven (Gretchen) McAnany, and Maureen (Patrick Hart) McAnany. His siblings are Jack (Debbie) McAnany, Mark (Elaine) McAnany, Eileen (Michael) McAnany Dill. Jeanne’s siblings are Linda (Jim)Varner, Bob (Lynn) LaBarron, Christine (Pat) Congdon, Kathy (Gary) Roberts. Paul had many nieces, nephews, cousins, and dear friends who will treasure their memories of Paul.
Calling hours are 4-7 P.M. Monday (August 9, 2021) at the Bishop & Johnson Funeral Home, Inc., 285 Main St., Hornell. A memorial service will be held at the United Presbyterian Church, 150 Main St., Hornell at 11 a.m. Tuesday (August 10, 2021). Paul’s family invites friends and loved ones to gather at The Main Place beginning at noon on Tuesday, August 10 to raise a glass to Paul’s full and joyous life.
Unvaccinated people are kindly asked to wear a face mask. Thank you for understanding.
In lieu of flowers, memorial gifts may be made to the following: Finger Lakes Trail Conference, 6111 Visitor Center Road, Mt. Morris, NY 14510 (www.fingerlakestrail,org/members/give), Friends of the Boy Scouts of America Camp Gorton, P.O. Box 962, Corning, NY 14830 or to the Hornell High School Alumni Association, P.O. Box 135, Hornell, NY 14843 (www.hornellalumni.org). Envelopes for memorial contributions will be available at the funeral home and church.
The Bishop & Johnson Funeral Home, Inc., in Hornell is honored to assist Paul’s family with the arrangements.
Such a shock. My very deepest sympathies to you, Jeanne, and to the beautiful family you and Paul raised. There are no words sufficient to soothe this pain. I ache for you. I will hold you close in my heart and prayers.
The Schultze family sends condolences and wishes for comfort to all of those Paul touched. We are deeply sorry.
I worked with Paul for many years and he recommended me for the position I currently hold at the DOT. Paul cared about the people he worked with and this is a big loss for the DOT family. Thank you Paul for your mentoring and friendship.
We are in shock and unbelievably sad. We have such great memories from college through the visit with Paul and Jeanne at our cottage in fall 2019. Such a fun and special guy. You will be horribly missed. Our condolences to Jeanne and family. Our thoughts are with you.
I am so sorry for your loss Jeanne and family. I am saddened to hear the news. Paul was such a great guy and classmate. I didn’t know him well in school, but when I moved back here in 1987, my son Rich joined scouts & I got to know Paul. He (& Fred) did a great job with the scouts & I suddenly became the badge person for scouts, lol. Always fun running into Paul & Jeanne. A other fond memory is seeing Paul on stage in a Rotary Play…Music Man, I believe. You will be sadly missed Paul. Sending sympathy and prayers to your family. God bless and comfort you all in the days ahead. Rest In Peace Paul.
Extremely sad to hear the news of Paul’s passing. Please accept our condolences and prayers Jeanne as you and your family, along with those that were close to Paul, deal with this difficult time.
My thoughts and prayers are with you and your family. Though it’s been many years (1981), it was a joy to work with Paul at E&A. Along with his love of engineering and of helping others, I still fondly remember his big smile and hardy laugh. I know he will be greatly missed by all whose paths he crossed. May you rest in eternal peace, Paul.
Jeanne and Family, We hope you find peace and comfort in your time of grief. Please know you are in our thoughts and prayers, and that we are sharing in your sorrow. Paul and your family have always been the best neighbors anyone could ask for. Our parents always appreciated you and the kids help with the snow shoveling during their Senior years. Paul was such a good man. He will be missed
I had the pleasure of being Pauls’s (and Jeanne’s) Latin teacher many years ago. Paul was an outstanding student as well as an outstanding young man. My condolences to Jeanne (Do you remember me?) and Paul’s family. He led an amazing life and I’m sure he will be missed by all.
So sorry to read of Paul’s passing
I tip a pint to you Paul! I will miss you my friend and classmate. Godspeed! Luly and I send our condolences to the entire family.
Every time Melissa and I drive to Sea Breeze or Durand Eastman beach we see the two seagulls on the yardarm at the 590 roundabout and think fondly of Mildred and Jack. Now we will add Paul to those memories. To Jeanne, Mark and the entire McAnany family we offer our sincere condolences.
Paul was a family man . he loved his family and his eyes sparkled when he spoke about his wife children and grandchildren. He care about his community and was a kind man. I will miss seeing him working on his projects always with a smile and a hello.we send our love and sympathy to his family. Walnut street will never be the same without him.
I lift a pint of Guinness to you my friend/classmate! I’m so happy we reconnected in San Diego! We will miss you dearly my friend. Thank you for your friendship. Godspeed Paul. Prayers for you Jeanne and your wonderful family!
My condolences and prayers to the McAnany family ðŸ™ðŸ»
Jeanne and all McAnany family,
We are so very sorry to hear of your loss! Please know we are praying for God to wrap his loving arms around you at this difficult time. Love and hugs to all!
Jeanne, Words cannot express what I’d like to say, but please accept my heartfelt condolences and prayers for you and your family.
-Love and prayers, Susan
Jeanne and family, I am so sorry for your loss. Paul was a great friend, he never changed from the days we spent in High School, always pleasant, friendly and genuine, I will treasure the times we spent together.
My thoughts and prayers are sent to you all, I just heard and so sorry for the loss of Paul