Donald Edwin Paulus, 88, of Barryville, NY, passed away December 7, 2021. He was born on September 26, 1933 in Shohola, PA to the late Charles P. Paulus and Ethel (Sutherland) Paulus. He was predeceased in 2006 by his loving wife of 49 years, Irene (Gillette) Paulus; his brother, Charles “Bud” Paulus and his dear friend, Sheila Farrell.

Don attended the old Shohola School until the family moved to River Road in Barryville in 1945 so he and his siblings could attend Eldred Central School. Donny, as he was called, worked at many of the poultry farms in the area. He was a pin-setter at the bowling alley at Rohman’s Inn in Shohola and sold tickets at the Shohola train station. Don enlisted in the Army and served during the Korean War from 1951 to 1953, serving in the 11th Airborne at Fort Campbell, KY. When he returned home, he worked with his father, later becoming the third-generation owner of Paulus Plumbing & Heating & Bottled Gas. Don married Irene in 1957 and they built their home in Barryville, where he and Irene raised their two daughters and where he relocated the plumbing shop.

Don earned his private pilot’s license and belonged to the Civil Air Patrol, Greeley Fire Squadron 207. He was a shareholder and founding member of the Meadow Brook Flying Club. Don would fly his family to the beach and other vacation spots, and his friends to Block Island, RI for some fishing. He enjoyed being the cook on the houseboat fishing trips on the St. Lawrence River. His sense of adventure led him to go skydiving several times.

Don enjoyed snowmobiling and every type of hunting and fishing. He belonged to the Mountain Stream Rod & Gun Hunting Club. Don enjoyed helping at the Winter Olympics at Rohman’s Inn every February. He was a farmer at heart and would bring home goats, chickens, rabbits, ducks, sheep and calves. Ultimately, he joined with some friends to form the Barryville Buffalo Breeders, located on Hillside.

He was a member of the Shohola Fire Department, and a life member and past chief of the Yulan Fire Department. Don would be one of the first to respond to a call and he enjoyed helping at the fundraiser dinners. He was a member of the Lions Club and was involved with their fundraisers, including the ice fishing contests on Steges Pond, which were a favorite of his.         

Don was a life member of the American Legion Sylvan Liebla Post 1363 and served on the ambulance corps. Don served as Councilman for the Town of Highland from 1963-1971 and was a member of the Masonic Lodge in Port Jervis. He worked as a caretaker at New Hope in Barryville from 1975-1994.

Donny (DP) was known and loved for his quick wit and broad, mischievous smile. He always had that unmistakable twinkle in his eye and you knew he had some practical joke planned or a funny comment that he was about to say.  Don loved his family, his friends and his community. He was a man you knew would be there to help a friend in need at a moment’s notice.

Don is survived by his daughters, Donna Kramer (John) and Holly Benton; grandchildren Emily Kramer, Gabriel Benton, Samuel Benton (Rheannon), Michael Benton (Whitney) and three great-grandsons. He is also survived by his sister, Shirley Haupt.

In lieu of flowers, donations can be made in Don’s name to the American Legion or to the Yulan Fire Department. A celebration of Don’s life will be held in the spring.

Arrangements are by the Harrison Rasmussen Funeral Home, Barryville, NY,  845/557-8010.