Paul Rank

Paul was a truly exceptional, talented, caring, loving soul who could light up a room with his presence and great wit. He cared deeply for those around him — family, friends, neighbors and strangers. He may disagree with someone but was never disagreeable.

Born in Donora, Pennsylvania, on July 25, 1939, Paul grew up, attended elementary and high school and worked a few years in Donora before entering Wheeling College in 1961.

During his four years at Wheeling, Paul met Cindy Carr, his beloved wife of 58 years. While there, he developed his leadership skills, sharpened his ability to reason and think clearly about complicated issues, and made many lifelong friends who have stayed close, traveling together through their lives.

Following college, Paul worked eight years at Duquesne University in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, first as manager of the men’s dorm during graduate school and later as administrator of student services.

Through those sometimes turbulent 1960s, Paul was admired and respected by students and faculty alike. After moving to West Virginia in 1973 to a cabin he, his wife, Cindy, and many friends built on a hillside in the Canaan-Eden area of southern Upshur County, Paul worked as a deck hand on barges that carry goods up and down the Ohio and Mississippi Rivers. He often said his 17+ years on the river were his favorite work experience. As conditions on the river changed Paul became a landlubber again and worked as a HVAC rep in a friend’s company, Comfortech, in Buckhannon, West Virginia, until he retired to focus on cutting wood for warming his own home and caring for the hillside where he and Cindy have had a wonderful long journey together for the past 52 years.

Family: Parents William and Mary, as well as Paul’s sister, Sr. Rose Mary; brothers, Jackie (infant), Ed (Paul’s twin), and Bill; as well as sister-in-law, Goldie preceded him in death.

In addition to his wife Cindy, Paul is survived by Rank family nieces and nephews, Will, John (Twila), Mary Carney, Anne (Mike) Simoncelli; eight great-nieces and nephews; 12 great-great-nieces and nephews; as well as brother-in-law, Dave (Anne Jane) Carr; nephews, Edward and Richard Carr; and lifelong dear family friend, Sr. Gerrie Grandpre.

Paul chose to be cremated. A celebration of his life may be held at a later date.

In lieu of flowers please donate to a humanitarian or environmental cause of your choosing. And find and play for yourself Paul’s all-time favorite song from the musical ‘HAIR.’ “What a Piece of Work is Man.”

Online condolences may be made to the family at www.polingstclair.com.

Poling-St. Clair Funeral Home is in charge of the arrangements.