Walter Abram Paradies

Walter Paradies, 89, of Garner NC, was born in New Paltz, NY, son of the late Abram W. Paradies and late Beatrice Ayers Paradies. He is survived by his wife of 51 years, Lucy B. Paradies; three sons, Abram Paradies in Memphis, TN, William Paradies in Orlando, FL, and James (Julie) Paradies in Largo, FL; six Grandchildren, Brittni Hooper in Savannah, TN, Daniel Paradies in Highland, NY, Nicholas Paradies in Poughkeepsie, NY, Erin Osarczuk in Chesapeake, VA, Zane Paradies in Washington, DC, and Cole Paradies in Washington, CT; and three Great Grandchildren, Bryce, Logan, and Hunter Hooper in Savannah, TN. Walter is also survived by a sister, Bernice Leonard in New Paltz, NY.

Growing up on a family farm in New Paltz, Walter loved gardening and was a hunter which led to competitive shooting and held NRA Master ratings in smallbore rifle and pistol. Always "eyes up" when aircraft were within earshot from pre-teens during World War II to the present, he flew his own planes and helicopter for over 25 years earning a commercial license with instrument rating and traveled from Canada to Florida and as far west as New Mexico. Many friends took their first flight with Walter and he boasted that no one was ever sick in his airplane. He also felt blessed with a good singing voice and shared that during his New Paltz school years through College Glee Club, and with his wife, Lucy, in the New Paltz community theater, the Reformed Church of New Paltz choir, and the First Presbyterian Church of Garner NC choir. Walter earned Mechanical Engineering degree from Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute in Troy, NY, in 1959.

Always interested in community service, Walter helped form and was the first Chairman of a Citizen's Committee for Education which was instrumental in gaining approval for the first Elementary School in New Paltz, over the objections of those living near previous one-room schools. Walter subsequently served on the New Paltz Town Board, School Board, Town Planning Board, volunteer Fire Department and other community organizations. He was also appointed to and served on the New York State Bridge Authority.

After Graduation from RPI, Walter joined the construction firm his father had founded in 1945. Walter would become President and operated the firm through 1985. He then joined an engineering firm and served as Resident Engineer construction and improvement projects for the New York State (NYS) Department of Transportation and NYS Thruway Authority. He retired in 2001 from Techtonic Engineering, Mountainville, NY.

A funeral service will be held at 3pm on Wednesday, August 6 at Bryan-Lee Funeral Home, 1200 Benson Road Garner, NC 27529. Visitation will be held from 2pm until 2:45.

A visitation will be held from 1 to 2pm on Friday, August 8 at Copeland-Hammerl Funeral Home 162 S Putt Corners Rd, New Paltz, NY 12561. Internment and a graveside service will follow at New Paltz Rural Cemetery. 

The family requests any donations in Walter's memory be made to the North Carolina Symphony, www.ncsymphony.org, or the First Presbyterian Church of Garner, www.firstpresbyterianchurchgarner.com.