Fredric Paul

On July 8, 2026 we lost Fredric Paul, the steady, strong, sweet patriarch of our family. He lived a beautiful 97-year life, devoted to his family and friends, and he gained their love and admiration through his kindness, patience, intelligence and constancy.

Fred (“Freddy” to many) was born in Albany on May 9, 1929, to Louis and Rose Paul and older brothers Jimmy and Norman. He graduated from Albany High School and New York State College for Teachers (now University at Albany) before being drafted into the Army during the Korean War. Intending to be a French interpreter, he was instead sent to Frankfurt, Germany where he became the music director for Armed Forces Radio, recording and editing symphony concerts across Europe and interviewing such luminaries as Dimitri Mitropoulos, Sol Hurok, and Ava Gardner. 

Back home, Fred married his beloved Joan (who predeceased him in 2023), taught math and French in Scotia, and then spent decades at the New York State Education Department, first as an Associate and then as Chief of the Bureau of Mathematics. After retiring, he continued to supervise student teachers well into his 80’s, traveled to conferences to give math workshops, and became the first inductee into the New York State Mathematics Hall of Fame. He was an active member of Congregation Beth Emeth, where he was a member of Brotherhood and Couples Club, sang in the choir, and taught Sunday school for many years. 

Fred enjoyed traveling with Joan and close friends, vacationing with family and friends on Cape Cod, watching baseball (especially his beloved Yankees), listening to classical music, doing NYT crossword puzzles and Time Union games, and reading. He was an excellent card player – pinochle, bridge, hearts (where he could “shoot the moon” with the best of them) – and most recently organized a bridge group at Massry Assisted Living, where he enjoyed living the last few years of his life.

Fred leaves behind all of us who will hold him in our hearts forever: his children, Andrea Stankus (Richard), Cathy Paul (Nathan Canby), and Jim Paul (Cindy Hicks); grandchildren, Amie MacIntosh (Brent), Joe Stankus (Ashley Connor), Claire Sankus (Shawn O’Connor), Oliver Canby, Noah Canby, and Elliot Paul, and great-grandchildren Kiernan and Aidan MacIntosh, Jules O’Connor, and Cedar Connor-Stankus. He is also survived by many beloved nieces and nephews, cousins and friends.

Funeral services for Fred will be held at 2:00 pm on Sunday, July 12, at Congregation Beth Emeth, 100 Academy Rd., Albany. Burial to follow in the Beth Emeth Cemetery.

Those wishing to remember Fred in a special way may make donations in his name to a cause that is meaningful to you.  

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