Paul Richard Steffen

June 2, 1934 - February 27, 2015

Paul Richard “TP Creeper” Steffen succumbed February 27, 2015 to either the ravages of one of several medical maladies running rampant in his over taxed, and thoroughly exhausted body or his unwillingness to actually live through another North Country winter. Take your pick. Born on Staten Island, NY to George and Johanna (Julia) Steffen June 2, 1934, Paul was sandwiched between sisters Phyllis and Catherine (Cathy) and attended Monsignor Farrell High School graduating in 1951 and enlisting at the age of 17 in the USAF. Originally signing on as a radio operator, Paul eventually cross trained and spent the remainder of his career on his stomach in the belly of a KC-135 as the Air Force’s tallest Boom Operator, EVER. After spending 27 years supporting the defense of this great country, Paul retired. Very few men are lucky to find one trophy wife, but Paul was fortunate enough to find two. He married Joan (Hann) October 15, 1958 and she blessed him with three children: Michelle, Carolyn, and Paul(Chris). After 39 years of marriage, Paul lost his beloved Joan to cancer in 1998. In March of 2004, Paul married Laura(Lolly) Daniels and inherited four additional children: Catherine (Weezy) Ero, Arthur (Archie), Angela(Bubba) and Suzanne (Sue) Gonyo. Paul spent his post military retired years working in the capacity of a “Paul-of-all-Trades”. Whether, bookkeeping for beer distributors, filling Dannemora sandwich machines at the prison, keeping the northern towns in video tapes, instructing locals in the proper techniques for preparing fish, or delivering meals to shut-ins, no job was beneath Paul. Being the giver that he was, he even volunteered his services as official bar stool warmer and Adjutant at the Legion Post 20, and official keg tester at VFW Post 125. In his golden years, Paul looked to Bill O’Reilly, of the O’Reilly Factor as his fashion muse. When not spreading his talents far and wide across the North Country, Paul could be found on various lakes attempting to coax onto his extensive tackle collection the monster bass he was convinced taunted him from beneath the surface of many of the local lakes. Or he could be found in either the back garden, growing tomatoes by the wheelbarrow full that he would eventually can, or the front yard, putting on his “rose whisperer” hat to entice his roses into full, glorious bloom. Most Sundays he could be found in his kitchen, even during the coldest of winter days, wearing a pair of shorts and white t-shirt, with Glenn Miller playing at level 10 from his reel-to-reel, fixing Sunday dinner (via the TLAR method of cooking) with an old fashioned glass filled with Canadian Club on the rocks next to the stove and a dish towel tucked in his back pocket, as if it were a raccoon tail, dancing. With Paul being like a box of chocolates, you never knew what you were going to get. Paul’s death was proceeded by his parents, George and Julia Steffen, and his wife Joan, and will leave a giant hole in the following hearts: wife Lolly Steffen; daughters Michelle Steffen and partner Bruce Veale, Carolyn (Steffen) Ruff and husband Chris; son Paul (Chris) Steffen; grandchildren Dylan, Alaina, Marissa and Gillian Ruff and Trevor, Ryan and Alyssa Steffen; sisters Phyllis (Steffen) Tracey and husband John, and Catherine (Steffen) Foster and husband Robert(Bob); cousins-in-law Donald (Donnie) and Victoria(Vicky) Birner; ; stepchildren Archie, Bubba and Sue Gonyo, and Weezy Ero; and step-grandchildren Joshua and Charlene Gonyo. There once was a fellow named Paul His remaining few hairs failed to fall He cut his own wood And his limericks were good Now he leaves this world standing tall. A celebration of Paul’s life will be celebrated from 3:00 to 7:00 PM, Tuesday March 3, 2015 at the VFW Post #125 in Plattsburgh. A memorial service will be held in Peru, Indiana at a time convenient for the family. Arrangements have been entrusted to Heald Funeral Home, 48 Court Street, Plattsburgh. To light a memorial candle or leave an online condolence please visit www.healdfuneralhomeinc.com