Obituaries

Paul V. Mara, 95

Paul V. Mara, 95, died at Lakeside at Willow Valley on Tuesday, August 21, 2012. Born in Beacon, NY, he was the son of the late Ralph V. and Nellie V. Lyons Mara. Paul was the husband of Elizabeth “Pat” Wakeley Mara, the love of his life for 61 years.

A graduate of Beacon High School, he earned his BS degree in Civil Engineering from Union College in Schenectady, NY. Paul served as a Civil Engineer Corps officer in the Navy Seabees in the Pacific Theater during WWII.

After several years in building and highway engineering, he was recruited into the aluminum industry, first with Kaiser Aluminum and Chemical Corp. and later Aluminum Association, Inc., from which he retired as Senior Vice President for Technology. For ten years after retirement he was retained as a consultant to that organization.

Paul was an interested supporter of Union College, having served for a number of years as annual fund agent for his class and a term as class president. In Virginia, he was an officer and board member of the Great Falls Historical Society, served several terms as president of his neighborhood residents’ council, member of the McLean Regency Racquet Club and member of River Bend Golf and Country Club in Great Falls.

He and his wife, Pat, lived in Fishkill Village, NY, Northbrook, IL, Westport, CT, and Great Falls, VA, from which they entered Willow Valley Retirement Communities in Willow Street, PA.

Surviving in addition to his wife Pat are 3 daughters, Virginia W. Mara, Arlington, MA, Judith M., wife of Keaven Anderson, Downingtown, PA, and Jean M., wife of William McCrystal, Pompton Plains, NJ; son-in-law Thomas Hunter, IV; 6 grandchildren, Kaitlyn and Meghan McCrystal, Emily, Eric and Susan Anderson and Irina Mara; niece, Dolores Ribera, and cousins, Betty Petrus, Nancy Powell, John D. Mara, Veda Andrus and Ailene Darcy. Paul was preceded in death by his daughter Susan D. Hunter and his siblings Helen A. Ribera and Ralph Mara.

A Memorial Service will take place 11 AM Saturday, August 25, 2012, in the Spring Run Auditorium at Willow Valley, 950 Willow Valley Lakes Drive, Willow Street, PA 17584, with The Rev. Dr. Louis J. Palmieri, Jr. officiating. Friends may greet the family immediately following the memorial service. Private interment in Chestnut Hill Cemetery, Union Springs, NY. Please omit flowers. Memorial Contributions may be made to S.O.M.E. “So Others May Eat”, 71 “O” Street, NW, Washington, DC 20001. To send the family online condolences, please visit SnyderFuneralHome.com. Charles F. Snyder Funeral Home & Crematory 717-393-9661

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Paul Mara was a friend and tennis companion for several years while living in Northern Virginia. He always demurred when I would tell friends I was no match for him even though he was several years older than I.

He will be remembered as a charming gentle man and a perfect gentlemen. God bless Pat and the Mara family.

Bill Shawcross

I was honored to work with Paul during the early years of my tenure as president of the Aluminum Association. His knowledge of the industry was legondary. I never heard him say a bad word about anyone–and one is tempted in the association business. Kathy and I wish to extend our heart felt sympathy to Pat and the family. They can be sure in the knowledge that Paul’s was a life well lived.

Steve Larkin

Paul Mara was a faithful member of the Great Falls Historical Society and he would always offer his membership in River Bend Country Club to sponsor our Annual Banquet. Their generosity was always appreciated by the members. He will be missed and we all will think of them in our Prayers

Thank you from the Great Falls Historical Society

Betty Swartz

Paul was just a great guy in every way…. intelligent, fun, athletically gifted in tennis and golf, kind, caring, and, had a good sense of humor. He and Pat lived in our neighborhood for many years and we shared tennis, Bridge and dinner parties many a time. Too, he was a devoted family man and very proud of each of their accomplishments. A sad loss for Pat, and all who knew him.

Love from Jan and Bill Lucca

To the family of Paul Mara,

I had the distinct pleasure of working with Paul for a good number of years in efforts for the Union College Annual Fund.  His outreach to his classmates was always welcomed and he was always thinking of ways to make it better.  His leadership and commitment to his Class and Union College will not be forgotten.

Diane Brisnehan
Associate Director of Annual Giving
Union College, Schenectady, NY

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