Paul Pallett, beloved husband, father, brother, uncle and friend passed away on January 6, 2021. He was 74 years old. Born in New Rochelle to Frank and Marie Pallett, Paul was one of eight children. He was raised in Pelham, where he attended Hutchinson Elementary School and Pelham Memorial High School. It was during elementary school that Paul met the love of his life, Eileen Fitzpatrick, with whom he recently celebrated his 50th wedding anniversary.

After graduating PMHS, Paul attended SUNY Farmingdale and then enlisted in the army. He proudly served his country from 1967-1969 during the Vietnam War, stationed in Korea and Germany as a K9 specialist in the military police. One of his proudest moments in the military was representing the US Army during the fiftieth anniversary of the 1918 Armistice Commemoration; in a parade through the streets of Paris in 1968.

Paul was honorably discharged from the service in September of 1969 and would quickly propose to his future bride Eileen in that same month. The couple would marry at St. Catharine’s Church on September 27th, 1970 and later be blessed with two wonderful children; Darleen and Paul Jr. Paul lived his entire life in Pelham. Anyone who knew Paul would tell you he was larger than life. He was a kind, generous and loving gentleman who loved to help and give back whenever he could. Many remember Paul serving his beloved Village of Pelham as a Trustee in 1986 and 1987.

He was a self-made business man who continuously created opportunities for himself, friends and family. His first business was a franchise owner of Coca Cola distribution routes in Westchester, which he sold in 1984 to spearhead a career in commercial real-estate. Paul loved real estate. He knew every building in Westchester and the Bronx and loved to talk about them and their possibilities.

In his spare time, Paul loved to play tennis, take family to the beach and travel. He loved to garden and sing. He was a champion tennis player at the New York Athletic Club, a sport he taught himself as a young adult by hitting tennis balls against the wall at the Grand Union in Pelham. He never missed his son’s hockey games and was always front and center at his daughter’s theatre performances. Family was everything to Paul and nothing excited him more than watching his family do well.

He will be remembered as a kind soul with a tireless work ethic and a smile for everyone. He was like a big teddy bear; always there to support you whenever support was needed. Most of all Paul will be remembered as a loving husband, a wonderful father, amazing grandfather and a friend to everyone he knew. He is survived by his wife Eileen, his daughter Darleen (Mark) Sobolak, his son; Paul (Collen) Pallett, his grandchildren; Ava, Marky, Kendall and Ellie and his two brothers Ralph (Carolyn) and Harry (Denise) and his lovely five sisters Fran (Joe) Zacchio, Anne (Dino) Miano, Louise (Nick) Barile, Doris (Ralph) Cavaretta and Kathy (Susan Siegel) Linder. He is also survived by his dear sister-in-law Elizabeth (Jack) Cole.

In the interest of everybody’s health and safety, a private celebration of Paul’s life for family will be held at the Pelham Funeral Home located at 64 Lincoln Avenue, in Pelham, New York, on Sunday, January 10, from 2-5pm. A Mass of Christian burial will be held at St. Catharine’s Church located at 25 Second Avenue in Pelham, New York, on Monday, January 11t, at 10:00 am. Interment will follow at Gate of Heaven Cemetery. For more information or to leave a condolence, please visit pelhamfuneral.com.

Editor’s note: This obituary was provided by the Pelham Funeral Home.