Paul P. Stoddard

Paul P. Stoddard beloved husband, father, brother, and grandfather died peacefully at home on Dec 19, 2024. He was 77 years old. He is survived by Lisa, his wife of 29 years; daughter, Jennifer Eley of Middletown DE; daughter, Alexandra Stoddard of Kennett Square, PA; 7 grandchildren: Camryn Eley, Samantha Eley, Brooke Eley, Jessica McDonough, Bryanna Swope, Alivia Stoddard, Kayleigh Stoddard and Hudson McVaugh; and 2 great-grandchildren, Ellania and Preston; and sisters: Carol O'Donoghue, Shirley Davis, and Kathy Patterson. He was preceded in death by his son, Paul P Stoddard, Jr.; and his daughter, Hillary E. Stoddard. Born in Dover, Delaware, Paul started his life in Wyoming, Delaware, moving to Bear, Delaware when he was 6. Paul graduated from Christiana High School in 1965 and after being drafted, he enlisted so he could choose his role in Viet Nam. He flew Huey helicopters in Vietnam from 1967 to 1968 as a Chief Warrant Officer and flew Pentagon personnel out of Fort Belvoir in Washington D.C. after coming home. Paul then spent the next 40 years at the Oil Refinery in Delaware City, DE working his way up from the mail room to Night Superintendent. As well as working full time at the Refinery, Paul found time to volunteer with the Delaware City Fire Company. Paul’s favorite hobby was fishing on the Delaware Bay. At first it was just Paul and his dad and then it was with his kids, nieces and nephews, and his many friends. Along with collecting coins, mostly Morgan Silver Dollars, Paul had a great love of working with wood. Early on Paul carved birds and ducks and he also carved a white swan for each one of his children. Later in life, after retiring, Paul found working with a wood lathe was the best way to fill his time. His wooden bowls and charcuterie trays are spread all over the U.S. as gifts and wares sold at local craft shows. If you find a wooden bowl with PPS and the year burned on it, you have an original Paul Stoddard creation. A visitation will be Friday, January 10, 2025, from 10-11 AM at Strano & Feeley Family Funeral Home, 635 Churchmans Rd., Newark, DE 19702 followed by a service in celebration of Paul’s life at 11 AM. Burial will follow at Delaware Veterans Memorial Cemetery. If you would like, please bring a funny story to share about Paul at the service. It is what he wanted. In lieu of flowers, donations may be sent in Paul’s memory to the Gary Sinise Foundation for veterans at https://www.garysinisefoundation.org/donate or St. Jude Children’s Hospital at https://www.stjude.org/donate. For directions or to send an online condolence, visit www.stranofeeley.com.

Paul P. Stoddard

April 30, 1947 - December 19, 2024

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