Paul V. Gignac

Paul V. Gignac age 103, passed away October 11, 2024 at Spring Meadows Nursing Home. He was born in Windsor, Ontario, Canada. 

Paul moved to Detroit, Michigan when he was 12 years old. He attended Annunciation Catholic High school where met his future wife and many life-long friends. 

Paul joined the U.S. Army during WWII. He was attached to the 97th Infantry where he served throughout Europe including Italy, Germany, Czechoslovakia and Poland. He was involved with liberating Flossenburg Concentration Camp as well as Buchenwald and Dachau. Paul received a two-star Combat infantry badge and was awarded the Bronze Star. He became a naturalized U.S. citizen while on active duty. His military experiences would affect his life in many profound and interesting ways of which he shared with his family and friends. Paul was discharged from the Army after first being sent to Japan at war’s end. He worked in the Detroit area as a designer of special machinery for many years. He would eventually take a job with Owens-Illinois in Toledo, as manager of the Development Center. While working with O-I, he met many friends that would share his various interests throughout his life. He loved reading about American History and our founding fathers roll in the establishment of early America. He was a pilot, a sailor, auto and motorcycle enthusiast as well as a trap and target shooter. He loved building things, using his knowledge and creative abilities to create all sorts of things including furniture, gadgets and special use items for his many hobbies. He was always tinkering and improving the things he owned. 

Paul was preceded in death by his wife, Mary Ann; sons, Paul Ross and Joseph and daughter, Andrea. 

He was survived by his son, Michael. He lived a full life and spent many hours with family and friends. He will be sadly missed by all. 

Family and friends may visit at Newcomer Funeral Home, 4150 West Laskey Road, Toledo, Ohio 43623, on Monday, October 28, 2024, from 10:00 am -12:00 pm. At 12:00 pm, we will get prepared to go to Ottawa Hills Memorial Park, for a graveside service with military honors. 

Memorial contributions may be made to The American Heart Association. 

To share a memory of Paul or leave a special message for his family, please visit the guestbook below.