Paul Findlay

Paul Findlay, age 84, went to be with his Lord and Savior on Sunday, September 4, 2016 at his home in Caro. Paul was born November 13, 1931 in Reese, the son of the late Cecil & Florence (Gulliver) Findlay and was a lifelong area resident. He graduated from Reese High School with the class of 1949 and attended Michigan State University where he studied agricultural science. He was united in marriage with the former Phyllis Russell on December 7, 1951 at the Bethel Methodist Church. Paul endured the loss of Phyllis on September 24, 2013 and found happiness once again with the former Pauline Weidman, whom he married on August 2, 2014 on the family farm in Caro. Paul was an exceptionally hard worker and the fifth generation in his family to farm the land, an occupation he began at only fourteen years old. He also worked for the Grey Iron Foundry in Vassar for a period of time. He was a devoted member of the Colwood Church in Caro and former member of the Sutton-Sunshine United Methodist Church, teaching Sunday school at both churches. He was also committed to stewardship of the land he farmed and was a former member of the Sugar Beet Board, Soil Conservation Board, Kellogg Farmers Leadership Program, 4-H and was a founding member of the Reese Farmers Co-Op and the Tuscola County Farm Expo. He was a former board member for Akron-Fairgrove Schools, Teen Ranch and was a twenty-year member of the Almer Township Board of Review. Paul was Santa Claus to countless people in our area and devoted much time to Bay Shore Camp in Sebewaing and visiting residents of the Tuscola County Medical Care Community. His tireless contributions to our community were recognized when he was honored as the 1984 Caro Citizen of the Year, and as a Rotary Club Paul Harris Fellow. He could often be found with his hunting and Euchre friends of fifty-five years that he affectionately referred to as his "therapy group." He leaves behind a legacy of gentleness and love that will long endure. Paul is survived by his wife, Pauline of Caro; six children and their spouses, Michael & Mary Findlay of Caro, Patty & Charlie Witkovsky of Caro, Carol Findlay of Seoul, South Korea, Karen & Wells Williams of Spokane, Washington, Sharon & Doug Coon of Unionville, Bruce & Sue Findlay of Caro; Pauline's children and their spouses, Linda & John Smentek of Caro, Randy & Deborah Brown of Akron, Ohio, La Donna & Paul Bliss of Cass City; sixteen grandchildren and seventeen great-grandchildren with an additional two expected; two sisters, Marion & Donald Rushlo of Tavares, Florida, T. Jean Mohr of Caro; sister-in-law, Kay Findlay of Reese. In addition to his parents and first wife, Phyllis, Paul was preceded in death by one great-granddaughter, Savannah Grace Findlay; and his brother, John Findlay. Funeral services will be held at 11:00 a.m. on Friday, September 9, 2016 at the Colwood Church in Caro with Rev. Dr. Jason Garwood officiating. Burial will follow at a later time at the Brookside Cemetery in Fairgrove with his grandsons serving as pallbearers. The family will be present to receive friends at the Ransford Collon Funeral Home in Caro on Thursday from 12:00 p.m. until 8:00 p.m. and at the church on Friday from 9:30 a.m. until the time of the service at 11:00 a.m. Those planning an expression of sympathy may wish to consider memorial contributions to Bay Shore Camp in Sebewaing. Visitation Information Date: Thursday, September 8, 2016 Time: 12:00 pm End Time: 8:00 pm Ransford Collon Funeral Home Address: 989-673-2175 | Map The family will be present to receive friends at the Ransford Collon Funeral Home in Caro on Thursday from 12:00 p.m. until 8:00 p.m. and at the church on Friday from 9:30 a.m. until the time of the service at 11:00 a.m. Service Information Date: Friday, September 9, 2016 Time: 11:00 am Funeral services will be held at 11:00 a.m. on Friday, September 9, 2016 at the Colwood Church in Caro with Rev. Dr. Jason Garwood officiating. Cemetery Information Date: Friday, September 9, 2016 Brookside Cemetery Address: 1691 N. Hinson Rd. Fairgrove, MI 48733 Burial will follow at a later time at the Brookside Cemetery in Fairgrove with his grandsons serving as pallbearers.