Bishop Nelson Perez will celebrate the funeral Mass for Deacon James Paul Jr. at 11 a.m. Jan. 12 at St. St. Aloysius-St. Agatha Parish, 10932 St. Clair Ave., Cleveland. Father J. Mark Hobson will be the homilist.
The wake will begin with vespers at 3 p.m. on Jan. 11 in St. Aloysius-St. Agatha Church. The presider will be Auxiliary Bishop emeritus Roger Gries. Deacon David Kushner will be the homilist. The wake will continue until 6 p.m.
Deacon Paul, 82, died on Jan. 2. He was born May 18, 1936. Deacon Paul was preceded in death by his wife, Darlene (Stevens). Survivors include his children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren.
Bishop Anthony Pilla ordained him to the permanent diaconate for service of the Diocese of Cleveland on May 13, 2000 in the Cathedral of St. John the Evangelist. Deacon Paul was assigned to St. Aloysius-St. Agatha Parish, Cleveland.
He was recalled as a gentle, soft-spoken, kind, and down-to-earth man who never made himself the center of attention. Deacon Paul was dedicated to his family, parish and neighborhood community. He loved being a deacon and was particularly committed to the diaconal ministry of charity and service
Interment will be at Calvary Cemetery in Lorain.