Paul G. Sias

Paul Gene Sias, a loving, kind, fun (and funny), wise man with a brilliant smile, died at his home in Little Egg Harbor, NJ on June 11, 2025 at the age of 83. Paul was surrounded by love, peace, and the beautiful nature encircling his home, including a hummingbird hovering at the window by his bedside at his time of death, 1:11 p.m. Paul is survived by his loving wife, Evy Flanigan Sias, his daughter Kate and husband Jean DeFrancesco-Sias of Killington, Vermont; his son Chris and wife Tricia Sias of Plano, TX; and four grandsons: Ryder and Eli DeFrancesco-Sias and Luke and Cole Sias. Paul is also survived by his very large extended Flanigan family, who warmly welcomed him and became an integral part of his life after he serendipitously met Evy, the true love of his life, at Loyola College in Baltimore. Paul is also survived by his “surrogate grandson”, Cody Spader, his dearest of friends and his wonderfully supportive neighbors. Paul was preceded in death by his parents, Alma Holbrook Sias and Winfred Ray Sias, his brother, Ray Sias, brothers-in-law (by marriage) Bill Wilkinson, Joe Flanigan, John Beers, nephew (by marriage) Conor McDowell, and niece (by marriage) Maggie Flanigan. Paul was born on December 22, 1941 in Naoma, West Virginia. After graduation from Hamlin High School, Paul enlisted in the United States Army and proudly served his country from May of 1959 to May of 1962 when he received an Honorable Discharge. Seeking employment and a college degree, Paul moved from West Virginia to Baltimore, Maryland. He found employment in the lumber industry and eventually earned his Bachelor of Science Degree in Business Administration with a Minor in Philosophy at Loyola College in 1973. Paul and Evy were married on August 4, 1979, in Baltimore at the Historic Taylor’s Chapel, which sits on the Mt. Pleasant Golf Course. In September of 1980, Paul became a proud father to his daughter, Kate. In May of 1985, he proudly welcomed his son, Chris. In December of 1986, Paul accepted a promising position at yet another lumber company, which required the Sias family to move from Baltimore, MD, to Little Egg Harbor, New Jersey where he resided until his death. Always with a joyful smile and a twinkle in his eye, Paul was a genuinely dear, grateful, and supportive husband. He was a loving and proud father and an adoring grandfather. Paul has been described as generous, wise, irreplaceable and above all, a true gentleman. He was tender hearted with a relaxed demeanor and a fabulous, fun sense of humor. Paul could also be contemplative and philosophical at times and enjoyed deep conversations about life. Paul was known for sharing his enjoyable and captivating stories. One standout is of his boyhood hero, the famous pilot Brigadier General Chuck Yeager, who grew up in Hamlin, WV, and was known for breaking the sound barrier in 1947. Paul shared that the whole town, along with Chuck Yeager‘s family, were always thrilled when Chuck “flew” into town”. Interestingly, Paul and his brother Ray, became private pilots themselves in their later years, unbeknownst to each other. In the world of high school basketball, Paul enjoyed sharing that he once played opposite Jerry West who is universally regarded as one of the greatest players of all time. In later years, in Baltimore, Paul voluntarily coached a basketball team of young underprivileged boys and taught them to believe in themselves no matter what. Paul’s many interests included owning and flying his M20C Mooney airplane, being an HO train enthusiast, learning to play the guitar, and above all, anything golf related including his golf club repair business and his peaceful pastime of hunting for golf balls in his backyard woods adjacent to the local golf course.  In the world of golf, Paul was admired for his high level of expertise and his generosity of spirit when it came to freely sharing his skills and his equipment with others, no matter their level of ability. Paul was the Tournament Chairman for the Men’s Golf Association at the Hunt Valley Golf Club in Maryland where he was a charter member in 1970. After moving to New Jersey, Paul served as the President of the Atlantis Golf Association for many years. Paul enjoyed playing in state amateur tournaments, club championships, and was particularly proud to have participated in the Senior PGA Tour Qualifying Tournament in 1995. In his many fun golfing discussions, Paul’s 13 holes-in-one in Maryland, New Jersey, Ohio, and Michigan were always a favorite topic of conversation. Paul also loved sharing that he had the opportunity to play with professional Danish golfer, Thomas Bjorn at Shinnecock Hills in 2004 after the US Open that year. One of Paul’s most treasured golf experiences was a chance meeting with Arnold Palmer on the airport tarmac at the Masters Tournament in 1986. Paul was tenderly touched by Mr. Palmer‘s genuine kindness and approachable demeanor. He always cherished the photo of the two of them together in front of Mr. Palmer’s jet.  Paul lived a full and glorious life inspiring many along the way. He was filled with enormous gratitude for all the loving care that he received during his last few difficult years. He wants us all to know that we truly mattered in his life. As a final gesture of Paul’s generous spirit, he chose to have his body donated to the Anatomy Gifts Registry AGR in Hanover, MD for the advancement of medical science and education. AGR works in collaboration with researchers and educators worldwide.