Obituary

Paul Robert Blundin—the youngest of William and Eleanor Blundin’s four children—was born on April 9, 1948, and raised in Holmes, Pennsylvania. As a child, Paul enjoyed reading comics and listening to radio broadcasts, especially those of Jean Shepherd. He was fascinated by air planes and outer space.

Paul graduated from Ridley Township High School and Temple University, where he earned a Bachelors of Science in Education. He later went on to obtain a Masters’ Equivalency.

Paul was a talented teacher, regardless of the grade-level or subject he was instructing. He began his teaching career as a teachers’ aid in the Philadelphia School District, where he was the district’s first male toddler teacher. Paul later taught remedial reading in Audubon, New Jersey. In the 1980s, Paul taught second grade at the School in Rose Valley, a progressive private school in Delaware County, Pennsylvania. Paul later returned to the Philadelphia School District, where he taught kindergarten for several years, then computer science, until he retired.

In addition to teaching, Paul was also a gifted comedian. He performed as an amateur stand-up comic at numerous venues, and eventually started an innovative business called Comedy-on-Demand. Through Comedy-on-Demand, Paul would provide comic relief at otherwise-dull business meetings or conventions. Paul tailored comedic performances to large groups of professionals—including doctors and software engineers. In these performances, Paul would initially present himself as another straight-laced speaker; the “presentation” would slowly take a turn for the absurd and he would have the audience in hysterics by the end.

But nothing made Paul happier than spending time with his family; he was a loving and devoted husband and father. Paul met his wife, Gwynne Isaacs, when both of them were selling hot dogs from food carts in Philadelphia; they were married on June 22, 1974. On June 9, 1980, Paul’s only child, Cecilia Isaacs-Blundin, was born.

Paul fought for a right many men now take for granted—paternity leave. While teaching in Audubon, New Jersey, Paul was suspended for requesting the same leave that the district allowed new mothers. Paul filed sex discrimination charges and ultimately prevailed after a three-year legal battle; in the end, the federal Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC) approved an order requiring that male teachers in the district be granted the same leave as their female counterparts.

In his spare time, Paul enjoyed becoming an expert in all things electronic—from remote controlled helicopters to the newest Apple touch-screen gadget. He was also an avid photographer and devoted radio listener. Some of his favorite radio programming included National Public Radio, Coast to Coast AM, Let’s Talk About Jesus, and (of course) Jean Shepherd. Paul also loved traveling, reading, drawing, taking photographs, doting on his cats, Video and Moggy, learning about outer space and the meaning of new words, and studying the Bible.

In fact, Christianity became important to Paul as an adult. His whole-hearted acceptance of Jesus Christ came only after years of religious exploration and questioning. Despite suffering from long-term chronic depression and years of physical illness, Paul always remained thankful for his many blessings and credited his existence to God’s grace.
Paul will be missed by his wife, daughter, siblings, and many friends, to whom he showed tremendous love and brought lasting joy.

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Blundin , Paul R., age 62, died on April 8,2011, of Brookhaven, formerly of Wallingford. Loving husband of Gwynne L. Isaacs. Devoted father of Cecilia Isaacs- Blundin. Beloved brother of Evelyn MacIntyre,Bill Blundin and the late Lenora Hoffman.

Relatives and friends are invited to his Memorial Service Friday April 15, 2011 at 11:30 AM at the Cavanagh- Patterson Family Funeral Home 43 E. Baltimore Pike Media, Pa 19074, where friends may call after 11 AM. Burial private in Arlington Cemetery.

In lieu of flowers memorial contributions to the Loving Grace Ministries P.O.Box 500 , Lafayette, NJ. 07848 or Animal Care Sanctuary P.O. Box A, East Smithfield, Pa 18817.