Condolences for
Paul J. McCool

Mark and Family:

I am saddened to hear of your loss. I pray for your strength and healing.

Gloria Stewart

As I drove by Lafayette Elementary School, two Saturdays ago, I told a story of Mr. McCool and how much I appreciated him. A flood of memories came back, and a sense of pride for several reasons. I was one of the K through 6, and that was my start.
Never, did I guess that a week later I would learn of his passing. I don't need to tell you about the character, compassion, and the over-all presence of this man. He is your loved one, but he was my Principle. I was a child that had a lot of personal things going on. I had Grandparents that adopted and loved me, and biologicals that brought nothing good. I had a Principle that made me feel safe, when I wasn't allowed to go to recess, for fear of threatened abduction, and was 'stern' when deserving. I ran into him at a Wawa, when I was in my young twenties. He remembered me. By name. I'll never forget that feeling. I asked "How do you remember me? I surely don't look the same!" He responded "How could I ever forget you?" I was one of hundreds of adolescents he came across, but in that moment it took me right back, to feeling special. Now, at 46 many of us Lafayetter's still keep in touch, via FB. Together, we were a part of that school, but Mr. McCool was that school. We are all saddened. A great man's chapter has ended, but we are blessed by the fact we were a small part of it and he ours. Here is to Principle McCool! The coolest Principle our group ever had. Thank you for the memories, sir!
Wishing you all healing mercies, and may your wonderful memories carry you through.

I was a student teacher of 5th grade at James Buchanan in the fall of 1969. Paul immediately befriended me and made me feel like one of his own staff. He supported me throughout my 8 weeks with him and once I graduated from Bloomsburg, made sure I got a teaching position in Bristol Township! I will never forget him for the kind and gracious person that he was.

May God Rest our favorite Uncle Paul's Soul! May God also give comfort to his family in whom his spirit lives on and to his friends who also are saddened by his passing.
Amen.

Mr. McCool was the principal at James Buchanan Elementary School in 1963, when I was a first grader there. One day, I was hauled down to the office for the childish infraction of idly doodling on the bottom of an upturned chair with a crayon while waiting for my bus. I was terrified that I would get paddled. Instead, he sat me down and very kindly and gently explained how it was wrong to deface other people's possessions, and how it would cause extra work for the school custodian to clean off the chair bottom. Then he expressed that he hoped that I would remember what he'd said, and that I would not be afraid to talk to him whenever we met in the building. Yes on both counts!

I remember that the students and parents loved Mr. McCool during his times at James Buchanan. My mother claimed that I would brag that he was "my friend". And, truly, I think that he was. And from what I read in his lovely obituary, probably thousands of people thought the same. So many lives touched!