Paul F. Gaylord, 71, of Batavia, died tragically at the Buffalo VA Medical Center at 4:47 a.m. Tuesday, May 26, 2020.
He was born Aug. 7, 1948, in Niagara Falls, N.Y., to the late Harry R. and Ruth (Botts) Gaylord, also preceded in death by his brother, Gerald Gaylord and granddaughter, Hannah Michelle.
Paul served his country honorably with the U.S. Air Force during the Vietnam War. He has been serving as the commander of the DAV and was an active member of the Joint Veterans Honor Guard of Genesee County, Vietnam Veterans of America, American Legion and the VFW. He served as a veteran mentor for the Genesee County Drug Court, a member of Ascension Parish and a 4th Degree Knight/Grand Knight with the Monsignor Kirby Council of the Knights of Columbus.
Paul will be remembered as a devoted husband, father, grandfather, and a man of faith in the Lord. He was a friend to all that knew him, just met him and those who had not. Paul, the world is a little less bright knowing that you have gone home to rest in eternal peace with the Lord.
Surviving is his beloved wife, Michelle (Zanghi) Gaylord of Batavia; children, Christian Gaylord, Oliver (Karen) Gaylord, Shawn Gaylord, Aaron (Jessica) Gaylord, Joshua (Joyce) Gaylord and Samantha (Emmett) Maguire; 13 cherished grandchildren, Brandon, Olivia, Cambrie, Trey, Ethan, Lily, Dominic, Sebastian, Rocco, Vincent, Thomas and Christianna Jean; siblings, Peggy (Nick) Falanga, Carol (James) Brandes, Robert (Millie) Gaylord, Donna (Sherman) Gaylord; sisters-in-law Rosanne (Robert) Wray, Mary Ellen (Jeffrey) Wilber, brothers-in-law Philip Zanghi, and the late David Zanghi, along with many nieces and nephews.
Because of the COVID-19 epidemic, Paul’s visitation has been scheduled for Sept. 2, 2020 from 3p.m. to 8 p.m., at Michael Tomaszewski’s Funeral Home, limiting visitation to 33% capacity. A memorial service will be at Michael Tomaszewski’s Funeral Home on Sept. 3, 2020, at 11 a.m. Paul will be laid to rest in the future Western New York Veterans Cemetery. Memorials in his memory are suggested to a charity of the donor’s choice.
Please share words of comfort with Paul’s family at www.tomaszewskifh.com or for more information, please call Michael at (585) 343-7500.
The family of Paul F. Gaylord is being cared for by the Michael S. Tomaszewski Funeral & Cremation Chapel, LLC, 4120 W. Main Street Road, Batavia NY 14020.
