Paul Robert Pavich, age 68, of Bradenton, died peacefully at home on December 30, 2022, with family by his side.
Paul was born in Oak Park, Illinois on 4/11/54 to Joseph and Amanda (Strilich) Pavich. He grew up in Brookfield, Illinois. Paul had good memories of large Pavich family parties at Christmas and on Memorial Day every year, swimming in the Brookfield pool, going to the Brookfield Zoo with his father on Sundays and vacationing in Montello, Wisconsin. In middle and high school, Paul played the accordion, winning numerous awards at state competitions and playing as the youngest member of a small polka band at local events.
Paul proudly served in the U.S. Navy from 1972-1975, first as a jet mechanic attached to a squadron on the USS Hancock aircraft carrier out of Alameda, California and later as a petty officer in charge of damage control on the USS Dubuque out of San Diego. Paul smiled to remember his final performance evaluation before discharge stating, "He wears his uniform with great pride and his quiet, jocular manner has always been a source of good morale.“
Paul married his high school sweetheart Jane (Schoenbeck) Pavich in La Grange, Illinois on 9/10/77. They had three sons, Paul J., Scott, and Gregory. Paul and Jane escaped the cold and snow of the Chicago suburbs in October 1983 and moved to Bradenton, Florida where they built their home and their careers and enjoyed raising their sons.
Paul used the G.I bill to attend the University of Illinois at Chicago where he received his B.S. degree in accounting in 1978. He passed the CPA exam in 1983, having sat for the final exam in Chicago the day after their second son Scott was born. Paul worked in several positions during his career as a tax accountant or tax analyst, and he did many tax returns privately through the years. He actually enjoyed talking about the intricacies of the IRS codes and tax laws. Starting in 2010, Paul also managed the accounting and payroll for Jane’s business Bradenton Counseling Center.
Travel was important to Paul throughout his life. He took a 6-week motorcycle trip through the western U.S. and Canada with 3 buddies after high school, went to Hawaii for a honeymoon, backpacked through Europe for a month with Jane, had fun family vacations when the boys were young, traveled to Ireland, Australia and Taiwan along with taking numerous cruises and, over the past 12 years, created a wonderful tradition of having family trips at Christmas both inside and outside the United States that included sons, daughters-in-law and grandchildren.
Paul was predeceased by his parents Joseph and Amanda (Strilich) Pavich and siblings Joseph M. Pavich, Carol Miller, and Lucille "Babe" Fettig.
Paul is survived by his wife Jane, sons Paul (Elaine), Scott (Heather), and Gregory (Kathleen), three grandsons Carter, Gavin and Lincoln, and granddaughter Franklin "Frankie." He was excited to know that another grandson is due to be born in June 2023.
Paul will be buried at the Sarasota National Cemetery at a date to be determined. You can honor Paul’s memory by honoring all U.S. veterans, especially on Memorial Day and Veteran’s Day, or by making a donation to the United States Navy Memorial (navymemorial.org).
