Paul “Pawel” David Stelmaszyk, a high school educator and lifelong runner, died on Tuesday, May 16, 2023. He was 80.

“He will be profoundly missed,” his family wrote in a tribute.

“Paul was born in Liverpool, England, on Dec. 27, 1942,” his family wrote. “In 1949, he sailed with his mother on the RMS Mauretania in order to join his father in the United States.

“He grew up in Clason Point in the Bronx and attended high school at Mount Saint Michael Academy, then went to St. John’s University on a full track scholarship. He earned a master’s degree from Hunter College in the Bronx and embarked on a career as a social studies teacher and a high school assistant principal and principal.

“Running remained important to him his entire life. His coaching and officiating career began at Cardinal Spellman High School in the Bronx, thrived at Cicero-North Syracuse High School, and concluded at Mohonasen High School in Rotterdam, New York.

“Paul also relished competing and was part of a record-setting two-mile relay at the 1964 Millrose Games. As a young adult, he raced for the New York Athletic Club team, and as a master’s runner he ran with the Syracuse Chargers club.

“He competed in track-and-field events at the Empire State Games many times and qualified for nationals in Eugene, Oregon, where he prevailed as National Champion for his age group for the 400m and the 400m hurdles; he also took third place in the 100m hurdles at that meet. More recently, despite health challenges, he logged miles at his local YMCA.

“Paul loved working on his ten acres of land, playing golf and bocci, singing in his church choir, and attending his grandchildren’s sporting events and musical and dance performances.”

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Paul “Pawel” David Stelmaszyk is survived by his wife of 55 years, Mariann; his sons, Paul, Ed, and Christopher, and their wives, Samantha, Heather, and Gayle Bowe; his daughter, Lara, and her husband, Martin Burke; his grandchildren, Grace, Kealan, Rowan, Nevan, Ruby, Henry, and Gracie Bowe, and Nathaniel Burke; his brother, David; many cousins and nephews and nieces; and his grand-dogs Blossom, Olive, Cooper, Stella, and Blue.

His father, Paul “Pawel”; and his mother, Marie “Mary” Jane (née Fitzgerald) Stelmaszyk died before him, as did his brothers, John and Michael; his sister, Patricia; and aunts and uncles.

“For friends and family who would like to celebrate his life with us, on Saturday, June 10, we are holding a reception at Christ the King Church in Guilderland at 10 a.m., with a mass at 11 a.m.,” his family wrote. “A luncheon will follow.”

Christ the King Church is located at 20 Sumter Ave.