Obituary of Paul Harlow Witting

Paul Harlow Witting

 

Paul Harlow Witting [‘Tall Paul’], 84, passed away surrounded by his family on Sunday, April 1, 2018, in The Villages, FL.  He was born March 30, 1934, in Newark, NJ and married his college sweetheart, Joan Davis, in 1957.   Paul is survived by loving wife Joan; daughter Pam; son Dean and wife Nell; grandchildren Riley, Elizabeth, Claire; sister and brother-in-law Judy and Brian Lewis; niece Colleen; nephews Kevin, Kyle, Darren; brother-in-law Steve Wall; nephew Brian and wife Wendy; children Betsy, and Charlie.  

 

Paul and Joan attended West Virginia University, where he played varsity basketball and was co-captain his senior year.  He then entered the sales force of General Fireproofing Co., followed by Steelcase, Inc.  Steelcase moved them throughout the US for various sales positions, landing in Grand Rapids, MI, as Senior VP of Sales and Distribution.  Paul served on many Boards and executive committees, including the Lake Charlevoix Association, the Charlevoix Foundation, and Kendall College of Art and Design of Ferris State University.  He was also a member of the Charlevoix Lions Club.  Upon retirement from Steelcase, Paul and Joan moved to Charlevoix, Michigan (23 years).

 

The Witting’s were passionate sailors and sailed on the West, South, and East coasts of the US and in Ontario, Canada.  When retired, they lived their life-long dream of cruising and living on their 46 ft, Grand Banks Trawler, for 6-7 months/year for 10 years, sailing from Michigan to the East coast, from Maine to the Bahamas. Being out on the water, in a boat, was his life!  His favorite place to land while sailing was Mackinaw Island, in northern MI; fudge, horses and boats galore!  Twice, Paul applied for and received his 100 Ton Merchant Mariner License, which allowed him to operate any vessel under 100 gross registered tons.  He loved to captain the Ironton Ferry, located on Lake Charlevoix, between Charlevoix, East Jordan and Boyne City, MI.

 

There will be a ‘Celebration of Life’ at a later date.  Those who wish to remember Paul may send memorial contributions to Paws with a Cause, National Headquarters, 4646 South Division, Wayland, MI  49348 or Cornerstone Hospice of The Villages, Cornerstone Hospice Foundation- 2445 Lane Park Rd Tavares, FL 32778, or a charity of your choice.  Memories and condolences can be shared at www.Hiers-Baxley.com, Obituaries.Tributes/Paul Witting.