Paul Henry Zola

April 19, 1951 - June 14, 2020

Paul Henry Zola, age 69, was called by his Creator to return home on the 14th of June, 2020, after a surprise diagnosis of a Glioblastoma in February. He fought hard for several months to slow the progress of a very aggressive form of brain cancer. He will lay peacefully with his parents at St. Patrick's Cemetery in Crittenden, NY. Paul was born on April 19, 1951 to parents Michael and Florence Zola. He is survived by his wife, Arleen (Schoenfeld); brothers, Anthony and Michael (Beth); children, Ashley (W. Taylor Poteat) and Michael; and grandchildren, Caleb, Emily, and Kaylee. Paul worked for Whiting Door Mfg Corp. in Akron, NY for 41 years, relocating to Hendersonville, TN in 1989 as an Area Manager for the company. He was well respected by his co-workers and customers and took great pride in his work and held a number of offices within the trucking industry trade associations. He was someone who never knew a stranger. He could walk up to anyone and start up a conversation. "I might be able to sell them a door!" he would say. Paul enjoyed playing golf, was an avid follower of Xavier basketball and Buffalo Bills football, playing trombone in the Akron Community Band, traveling, volunteering at the Our Lady of the Lake Parish, and enjoying the company of friends and family. Paul could bring light to a room with his smile and personality. As Maya Angelou said "I've learned that people will forget what you said, people will forget what you did, but people will never forget how you made them feel." Paul Zola has left his brightness wherever he traveled and likely will keep many who knew him motivated to keep his positive spirit alive by paying it forward to others. A gathering of friends and family will be on Friday, July 10, beginning at 12:00 Noon and continue until the Memorial Mass at 1:00pm at Our Lady of The Lake Catholic Church in Hendersonville followed by a Luncheon at 2:00pm (dependent upon COVID-19 restrictions). If you would like to receive a notice with service details, please send an email to [email protected] or call Michael Zola at 615-513-8082. Another memorial mass will be held at St. Teresa's RC Church in Akron, NY followed by a luncheon at a later date due to the COVID-19 pandemic. If you would like to receive a notice with service details, please send an email to [email protected] or call Ashley Zola at 571-309-0752. In lieu of flowers, we ask to please make a donation to the American Brain Tumor Association https://www.abta.org/ . The family has entrusted services to Austin and Bell Funeral Home and Cremation Service,104 Sanders Ferry Road, Hendersonville, TN. 615-822-4442.