Date of death: 4/13/2009
Saint Meinrad Class: O 1970
Paul E. Harshman Jr., passed away at the young-at-heart age of 66 with his loving family by his side. The son of Paul, Sr. and Helen (Case) Harshman, he was born on May 1, 1942, in Toledo. Paul attended St. Francis De Sales High School, where he is the only player in the school’s history to letter in football all four years. Following graduation from St. Francis, Paul received a scholarship to attend the University of Cincinnati. He left after one year and spent a short time at Saint Meinrad Seminary. He left the seminary and resumed his football career at the University of Toledo, where he earned honorable mention All-MAC his senior year. Paul was inducted into the St. Francis Hall of Fame as well as the Toledo City league Hall of Fame for his football accomplishments. Paul married Nancy Floyd Harshman in July of 1966. They have shared and enjoyed a magical life together. If you ever had the pleasure of witnessing their love, your life would have been changed forever. Together Paul and Nancy created four beautiful children, all of which inherited his enduring spirit and love of life, Andy (Suzanne), Erin (Mark) Mitchell, Casey (Molly), and Charlie (Kelli). Paul is also survived by 9 beautiful grandchildren, who he loved very dearly, Jakob, Brandon, Nicholas, Zachary, Luke, Kayla, Maximus, Samuel and Sophia. He is also survived by his siblings, Julie Bowers, Tim (Mary Lourdes) Harshman, Dan (Betty) Harshman, and Mary (Richard) Henning; brothers-in-law and sisters-in-law, Barbara (Jim) McGowan, Lynn Sexton (Alex Lelli), Bob (Joanne) Floyd and Jim (Wendy) Floyd; and many nieces and nephews. Paul was a teacher and coach at St. Francis de Sales, Sylvania and Dundee High Schools. He also taught at Jones Junior High and Ottawa Hills High School. While teaching, Paul continued his own education earning two masters degrees, one in history and another in guidance and counseling. For the past 15 years Paul and his son, Andy have partnered together in running Harshman Painting. Paul’s hobbies included cooking, reading history books and playing golf with his family. Paul was a skilled potter spending countless hours creating beautiful pieces of art on his own wheel and kiln. He loved taking long walks in Wildwood and traveling with his wife. He also loved to spend time with and care for his grandchildren. Paul was a teacher of life to many through his coaching, mentoring, counseling, fathering, creating, painting and loving. If you knew him, you loved him, because he was so warm and accepting to everyone he met. He touched the heart and lives of so many people with his spirit and energy. He will be deeply missed. Memorial contributions may be made to St. Francis de Sales High School in the name of Paul Harshman. The family wishes to thank the The Toledo Hospital Emergency Room and the Critical Care Unit for their care of Paul and their patience with the family during this difficult time, with a special thanks to Denise, Gordon and Dr. May.