Paul Patrick Getz

Paul Patrick Getz

Enjoyed the Little Things -

Paul Patrick Getz, age 51, of Mechanicsburg, passed away peacefully with his devoted wife and loving daughter by his side on Monday, October 21, 2019, after combating brain cancer for 16 months with stoic courage and determination.  Paul was born on Wednesday, March 20, 1968 in Harrisburg to Reta (Arter) Getz and the late Robert Getz, Sr. He married his soulmate in November 1991 and celebrated the birth of his daughter in October 1996. An avid animal lover, Paul is preceded in death by his beloved canine companions: Bianca, Rosie, Jamaica, Cocoa, Smurf, Bibbles; and his faithful feline buddy, Stitch.

Paul’s survivors include his wife of 27 years, Christina “Christy” Lynn (Kostelac) Getz; his daughter, Jessica “Jess” Delaney Getz; his mother, Reta Getz; and his three siblings: Kathy Radczenko, Robert Getz, Jr., and Mary Getz.

Paul graduated from Cumberland Valley High School as part of the class of 1986.  He served as a longtime superintendent at East Coast Contracting, Inc. in New Cumberland since 1989.  Paul loved his job in construction enjoying the problem solving, complex challenges, team atmosphere, and adaptive learning.  He attended Aldersgate United Methodist Church in Mechanicsburg and later attended Vibrant also in Mechanicsburg.  Paul experienced life with joy and passion while weathering life’s storms with implacable strength, sheltering and reassuring his family in his embrace and with a roguish smile.  He was known to say, “It’s the little things in life,” and his ability to enjoy the small moments and details helped enrich his life.  Paul’s playful nature allowed him to embrace fatherhood with a youthful heart delighting in sport, games, and laughter with his daughter, Jess. He loved being a dad and the time with Jess and Christy is what he truly cherished.  Paul was an athletic man, capable in a wide variety of sports, including fishing, boogie boarding, jet skiing, snorkeling, bicycling, kayaking and parasailing. However, his truest passion was being on or in the water whether that be salt or fresh; but the ocean always called to him; something he shared with his wife and daughter. As a man of significant stature, Paul filled a room with his presence, quietly commanding a certain amount of respect; even though he was a big teddy bear with a heart of gold. His impish good humor often made people laugh embellishing a joke with fantastic facial expressions and exaggerated gestures. In the last year, Paul adopted the mantra, “Never have I ever …” Paul, Christy, and Jessica used that slogan to challenge themselves to experience life to the fullest with those that were most precious to him.  As a saying of Paul’s goes, “If life is a glass of wine, finish the bottle!”  Paul, Christy and Jess “finished the bottle” by using the last year to create an entire lifetime of memories.

All are welcome to join Paul’s family at his gathering with food and music on Friday, November 1, 2019, from 4:00 p.m. until a time of remembrance at 6:00 p.m. at Buhrig Funeral Home and Crematory, 37 East Main Street, Mechanicsburg, PA 17055; with Pastor Alan Echard officiating.  Cremation was private.

In lieu of flowers, contributions in celebration of Paul’s life can be made to St. Jude Children's Research Hospital, 501 St. Jude Place, Memphis, TN 38105, www.StJude.org/Donate.

Paul’s family has entrusted his care to Buhrig Funeral Home and Crematory in Mechanicsburg, (717) 766-3421.  Read Paul’s full obituary, view his memorial video and portrait, and sign his official guest book at Buhrig.com.