Paul W. Hankins

Paul William Hankins, 84, died peacefully May 26, 2014 at his home surrounded by his loving family. He hoped that his family and friends would celebrate his passing to his keenly awaited spiritual life. Born July 30, 1929, Paul was put up for adoption by his teenage, single mother. He prayed daily for his birth parents and for the gracious, Catholic couple who adopted him and raised him in Elizabeth, NJ. He was an ardent pro-life advocate. Paul was a graduate of Seton Hall University and Rutgers University. He was equally proud of his Labor Relations Certificates from St. Peters Institute of Industrial Relations where he was a union shop steward and treasurer. Paul, a former oil worker, subsequently retired in succession as Sr. VP for R.H. Macy, Inc. dear ole Lasalles, Mercy Health System North, and the Ohio Dept. of Development Center at the University of Toledo as Sr. VP of Labor Management. Paul met his wife and best friend, Marilyn Ann Dobos, at a church dance shortly after he enlisted as a seaman recruit in the Naval Reserve. He retired as Captain after 43 years of service. Their marriage together lasted 62 years. They suffered through some tragic times and many joyful times but always exciting times. He was very proud of the accomplishments of their 6 children and he loved them dearly. His 13 grandchildren and 2 great-grandchildren filled him with pride and joy. The tragic death of twin granddaughters at birth and a third grandchild lost through spontaneous abortion re-emphasized for him the intrinsic value of each life from conception to natural death. Paul was a life member of the Military Officers Association, the Fleet Reserve Association, and the Old Newsboys Association. As a former president of the Toledo area Naval Reserve Association and the Navy League, he retained his interest in things nautical until his death. Paul was a chairman of Legislative affairs of the Toledo Area Chamber of Commerce. He was an active member of the American Legion Post 335 and the Catholic War Veterans Posts 369 and 639. Paul was an usher, lector, and Eucharistic minister for Gesu Church and a mid week attendee at the University of Toledo Parish Corpus Christi. He worked regularly as a grounds keeper for Our Lady of Toledo Shrine and was a board member. Upon his final retirement, Marilyn and Paul literally could have lived anywhere but chose to stay in Toledo because of its people and parks, the cultural opportunities, and the location within driving distance of educational, spiritual, and recreational offerings of six states and two countries. Paul firmly believed that God blessed America and his extended family. A devout Catholic, he ardently believed in God, family and country. Paul is survived by his wife, Marilyn A. Hankins; daughters, Kathleen Hankins, Annette H. Smith Larry M. Smith, Teresa H. Johnson Chris R. Johnson, Laura H. Sharp Robert L. Sharp, and Eileen H. Decker Scott K. Decker; grandchildren, Maria D. McWethy Jessie McWethy, Renee T. Morhain Christopher Morhain, Candice A. Smith, Marlo C. Smith all of Alaska, Rachel Ann Johnson of Sylvania, Richard D. Schultz of Gulfport, MS, Holly N. Schultz, AN Jennifer S. Schultz USN, Christina F. Schultz, Matthew K. Decker, and Erin E. Decker of Luna Pier, MI; great-grandchildren, Blake C. Schultz and Keith D. McWethy of Alaska. He was preceded in death by his son, Daniel J. Hankins; his birth mother, May M. Hankins; and his adopted parents, John Patrick and Margaret Cecilia McNamara Hankins of Elizabeth, New Jersey. Visitation will be Thursday, May 29, 2014 from 2-8:00 p.m. at the Walker Funeral Home, 5155 W. Sylvania Ave. west of Corey Rd. where a Rosary will be recited at 4:00 p.m. Funeral services will begin at the funeral home with prayers on Friday at 10:15 a.m. followed by a Funeral Mass at 11:00 a.m. at Gesu Church, 2049 Parkside Blvd. Toledo, OH 43607. The family requests memorial contributions be made to Our Lady of Toledo Shrine, 3433 Navarre Ave. Oregon, OH 43616, Gesu School, or St. Ursula Academy, 4025 Indian Rd. Toledo, OH 43606 or to a religious or educational institution of choice. Online condolences may be shared at walkerfuneralhomes.com.