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Paul Lewis Stafford passed away Friday morning, February 19, 2016 at West View Healthy Living, after an eight month battle with cancer. He was born May 12, 1928, to Myron A. and Hallie (Hibbard) Stafford at Meadville, Pennsylvania.
He married his wife of 39 years, Margo (Dague) Stafford on September 18, 1976. Paul graduated, January 1946 from Meadville High School and attended Allegheny College until he enlisted in the United States Air Force in August of 1948 and served as an Air Traffic Controller in the Panama Canal, honorably discharged in August of 1952 at the rank of Staff Sergeant.
In November 1952, he became a member of the Crawford Lodge #234 F. & A.M., being raised by Myron A. Stafford, Master. In Ohio, he became a member of Stonington Lodge in Amherst and in 1983, he rejoined Crawford Lodge #234, serving as Chaplain from 1997 to 2000 being a member for 63 years.
Paul worked for several businesses in Meadville and Erie Pennsylvania, prior to applying for a position of Air Traffic Controller in 1955 with the C.A.A., now the F.A.A. He trained in New York, transferred to Greater Pittsburgh Airport. In 1962, he transferred to the Oberlin Air Traffic Control Center, where he worked as a Controller until 1974, when he was promoted to Leased Communication Administrator, retiring in 1983 after 28 years.
Upon retiring, he and his wife, Margo relocated to Meadville, Pennsylvania. He was appointed secretary-treasurer of Woodcock Township serving for nine years, retiring in 1996. He became a member of the Woodcock Center Grange serving as master, district deputy and was a member of the state and national grange. Paul and his wife were active in the founding of the Saegertown Area Library.
Paul and Margo returned to Ohio locating in Wooster, where they were active in the county historical society. Paul was a Life Member of the Smithville Community Historical Society. Paul was a member of Trinity United Church of Christ, where he served on several committees.
He is survived by his wife; son, Alan (Nancy) Stafford of Amherst; daughters, Bonnie (Robert) Dannenberg of North Aurora, Illinois and Kathleen (Thomas) Horvath of Elyria; grandchildren, Jeanne (Justin), Jonathan (Tabitha) and Zachary; step-grandchildren, Maria, Nick, Natalie and Nathan and great-granddaughter, Gracelyn.
He was preceded in death by his parents; first wife, Ailene (Ryan); son, Darrell; second wife, Marilyn (Baker) and son, Thomas.
Paul enjoyed, model railroading, traveling, photography, especially taking pictures of birds, gardening and history.
Services will be held at Custer-Glenn Funeral Home, 2284 Benden Dr., Wooster, Thursday, February 25, 2016, with visitation 11 A.M. until 12:30 P.M. Service will be at 12:30 P.M., with The Reverend Doctor Kevan Franklin officiating. Burial will take place at Ohio Western Reserve National Cemetery in Rittman at 2 P.M.
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1928 - 2016 (87 years)
