Paul Zielinski

Paul E. Zielinski passed away on Monday, September 22, 2025 while in hospice care at the Southeastern Veteran’s Center in Pennsylvania at the age of 97. He was born on April 24, 1928 in Philadelphia to Elizabeth (nee Oczkowicz) and Paul M. Zielinski. Paul was a loving father to Paula Kinsella (Andy), Lisa Matthews (Jeff) and Marcia Ellis (Gary); grandfather to Paige Lavell (Alex), Drew Kinsella (Kelsey), Abby and Audrey Matthews, and Blair and Dean Ellis; and great-grandfather to Asher, Zander and Austin. He was preceded in death by his wife Steffie in 2021.

Paul grew up with his younger twin brothers, Obbie and Itsy, in the Bridesburg neighborhood of Philadelphia. He graduated from Jules M. Mastbaum High School in 1946 and subsequently completed an electrical engineering program at a vo-tech school. He and Steffie Koltys met while in high school, fell in love, and married on May 21, 1949 at St. Adalbert Catholic Church in Philadelphia. He joined the army in 1952 and served as a corporal in the Korean Conflict for 2 years. During this time, he earned the Korean Service medal with three bronze stars, United Nations Service medal, Good Conduct medal, and National Defense Service medal. He remained a proud veteran throughout his life.

Paul and Steffie spent a wonderful life together for nearly 72 years, raising their three daughters in Philadelphia and Southampton, PA. They were both very active in their daughters’ lives and loved their families. Upon retirement in 1984, they moved to Boynton Beach and then Venice, Florida. After Steffie’s passing in 2021, Paul moved to Houston, Texas and then back to Pennsylvania to be closer to his family.

Paul was hired by IBM and spent 35 years with them in increasingly responsible roles, ultimately as computer engineer field manager. He was also active in his community. As a member of the Kiwanis club, he served as president for a term, and was a proud member of the American Legion Post 396 for over 50 years. In addition, he was a lifetime Eagles and Phillies fan – win or lose.

Paul and Steffie enjoyed traveling, taking the girls on road trips across the United States and cruising to the Panama Canal, Alaska, and Australia. They often traveled to visit their daughters and grandchildren as they moved around the country.

As many know, Paul loved to be the life of the party, and if there was music, he was sure to be singing and dancing, especially to big band music and polkas. He was known for his renditions of Ave Maria and Danny Boy.

Paul’s family would like to extend a special thank you to their family and friends who have supported and loved him throughout his life, and to the wonderful staff at the Southeastern Veterans Center and Holisticare Hospice who went above and beyond to make his last months comfortable.

Relatives and friends are invited to Paul’s Life Celebration on Tuesday, September 30th at Our Lady of Good Counsel Church, 611 Knowles Ave, Southampton, PA. A viewing will be held at 10:00 AM ET, followed by a Mass of Christian burial at 11:30 AM. Paul will be laid to rest at Sunset Memorial Park in Feasterville.

In lieu of flowers, the Zielinski family has requested donations in Paul’s name be made to woundedwarriorproject.org at

or garysinesefoundation.org at . Please use 414 Palmetto Cres, Nokomis, FL 34275 as the address for Paul Zielinski if requested.

Funeral arrangements for Paul are being handled by McGhee-Givnish Funeral Home in Southampton, PA.