Paul R. Brownlee

Paul R. Brownlee, 86, of Tallmadge, OH, passed away February 16, 2021 at Summa Hospital.

Born in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, he was the son of the late James and Marie (Seethaler) Brownlee. Paul was a 1952 graduate of St. James High School in Pittsburgh’s West End and the College of Steubenville (n.k.a. the Franciscan University of Steubenville) in 1956. As a star basketball player in high school, he helped lead his team to a 3- year, 66-game winning streak (a PA record that held for 26 years), and during his tenure they won 3 consecutive state championship titles in 1950, 1951 and 1952. Paul continued his basketball career at Steubenville, where he was twice selected to the first team N.A.I.A. All-American Basketball teams in 1955 and 1956. His scoring record for most points scored (2,433) in a 4-year career at Steubenville still stands today, and that was long before the 3 -point rule went into effect.  Paul was the second inductee into Steubenville’s Basketball Hall of Fame in 1979, an honor of which he was very proud. After graduating from Steubenville in 1956, Paul was recruited by the Goodyear Tire & Rubber Company to play basketball for their industrial team known as the Goodyear Wingfoot’s, which brought him to Akron, OH and provided him with a job within the company. He retired from the Goodyear Tire & Rubber Company after 35 years of service in 1991.

He also loved golfing and enjoyed playing with his sons and grandsons.

He was preceded in death by his first wife, Mary Ellen (Shea) Brownlee in 1989; siblings, Marian, James, Elizabeth, Marcella, Mercedes, Joseph and Mary Louise.

Paul is survived by his wife of 29 years, Phyllis Paulo Brownlee; children, Paul (Heather), Catherine (Cliff) Sonnie, Christina (Albert) Wickley, James (Jill), Joseph (Maria), Colleen (Joseph) Deley, Cheryl Andisman, Carolyn Mima; step children, Paula, Perrin and Patrick Paulo; 20 grandchildren and 12 great grandchildren; two brothers, John and Robert Brownlee, Sr.; and a host of nieces and nephews.

Visitation will be 10:00 until 11:30 a.m. Saturday, February 20, 2021 at the Donovan Funeral Home, 17 Southwest Ave. (On the Historic Tallmadge Circle).

Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated at 12:00 p.m. following visitation at Our Lady of Victory Church, 73 North Ave., Tallmadge

Please be aware that COVID-19 protocols such as physical distancing and the wearing of masks or other facial coverings will be required for the safety of all.  Since Church seating capacity is limited, the Mass will be live streamed on the Parish’s Facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/ourladyofvictorychurchtallmadge. 

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