Paul Francis Milani

Paul Francis Milani died on April 19, 2016 after a very brief illness.  He is survived by his wife of 43 years, the former Carol Ann Leech; two sons, Robert (Amanda) and Matthew (Lexi); three grandchildren, Elizabeth Claire, Mary Samantha and Paul Avery; four brothers,  Jimmy (Liz), Mark (Juanita), Jack (Jackie), and Mike (Joanne); four sisters, Beth Anderson (partner Bobby Boegershausen), Patrice Milani (partner Judy Turnbaugh), Jeannie Carbo (Tom), and Laura Burke (Adam); brother-in-law Barry Leech (Karen) and sisters-in-law Mary Pat Rizzo (Kenny) and Nancy Hartka (Ted); 32 nieces and nephews; 13 great-nieces and nephews; and numerous cousins.  He was predeceased by his parents, James and Patricia Milani.

Paul was born in Baltimore on Dec. 30, 1952.  The third of nine siblings, he graduated from Cardinal Gibbons High School in 1970 and married the former Carol Ann Leech in 1972.  He was a passionate family man; if you asked him, he had 22 brothers and sisters as well as two daughters, because he truly counted all of his in-laws as family.

Paul was a resident of Cedar Park, Texas at the time of his death, having moved there after his eldest granddaughter was born.  Prior to that move, he was a lifelong resident of the Catonsville area.  He enjoyed a long career in the car industry, held every certification that the Ford Motor Company offers its employees and could outwork co-workers half his age.

Family came first, and Paul was so proud of the myriad accomplishments of his family members (whether they were born into or married into the extended Milani and Leech clans).  He was a talented coach who made it a point to attend his sons’ practices and games.  He was a mentor to many, professionally and personally.

Paul loved the Orioles, hearty breakfasts and Rheb’s vanilla buttercreams, collecting pens and baseball memorabilia, telling stories, and being the world’s best Pop and Uncle Paul.

A memorial gathering will be held from on Wednesday, May 11 from 5-8 p.m. at the Candle Light Funeral Home by Craig Witzke (1835 Frederick Road, Catonsville).  A funeral mass will be held Thursday, May 12 at 10 a.m. in the chapel of St. Mark’s Catholic Church, located at 26 Melvin Avenue in Catonsville.

Charitable donations may be made to:

The Society of St. Vincent de Paul

2305 N. Charles Street, Suite 300

Baltimore, Maryland 21218

http://www.vincentbaltimore.org

Mobile Loaves & Fishes

St. Margaret Mary

1101 W. New Hope Drive

Cedar Park, TX 78613

http://donate.mlf.org

Catonsville Youth League Baseball – http://www.cylb.org

Donations accepted by check made out to CYLB only – please memo check “In memory of Paul Milani”:

Catonsville Youth League Baseball

c/o Holly Cudzilo, Treasurer

725 Marianne Lane

Catonsville, MD 21228