Paul H. Munch

Paul H. Munch, 81 of Wayne, died on Saturday, September 28, 2019.  He lived in the Hillcrest section of Paterson most of his life before moving to Wayne in 2017.

Paul grew up in Paterson and lived above the family costume store on Main Street.  He graduated from Central High School with the class of 1957 and started working a construction job in New York City.  He was proud to have been involved with projects at the Metropolitan Opera and several other well-known locations in New York.  He was very proud to have worked at the World’s Fair where he helped to build the “It’s a Small World” Disney attraction at the fair.  He actually met Walt Disney while working there, but could never quite muster the courage to ask for an autograph.

Paul was eventually drafted into the U.S. Army and served his entire tour of duty in Germany during the Cold War.  After being discharged, he took advantage of the G.I. Bill and earned his Bachelor’s Degree from Fairleigh Dickinson University.  He was a salesman throughout his career, working with several area companies, retiring from Majestic Industries in Teterboro.

Paul was a jokester at heart and loved to have fun.  He was nicknamed “The King of Corn” for all of his corny jokes.  His repertoire of jokes was endless, but he had a few that he used over and over again!  His wife, Carol, used to be able to predict which joke was coming next based upon the given situation and conversation he was having.  He was just that corny.  Paul was also an excellent singer and dancer who loved Broadway shows and musicals.  He performed in the local theatre as a kid and sang in his church choir.  His first date with Carol was a blind date where they went dancing and to dinner.  She recalls that he was an excellent dancer and they soon became the best of friends.  They married at the Methodist Church in Midland Park on November 30, 1974 and have been members of the Preakness Baptist Church in Wayne for the past forty years.  One of their favorite hobbies was visiting Disney World with their family.  They’ve gone so often that they lost track of how many times they’ve actually visited, with some years including trips to both Disney World and Disney Land!  Paul especially enjoyed taking his grandchildren there.  In Paul’s eyes, his grandchildren could do no wrong and he loves each of them profoundly.  They will all miss him dearly.

Paul is survived by his beloved wife, Carol (nee Adair) of Wayne, his daughter; Linda Iacono and her husband Steven of Pompton Plains, four grandsons; Jordan Brown and his wife Diana of Wayne, Nicholas Brown and his wife Liza of Wayne, Sam Iacono or Pompton Plains, and Timothy McHugh of San Diego, California, three great-grandchildren; Jack, Luke, and Daniel.  Paul was predeceased by his daughter Cynthia Hill of Connecticut and by his sister; Dolores Christianson of Florida.

Donations in Paul’s memory would be appreciated to the Preakness Faith Community, 1441 Ratzer Road, Wayne, NJ 07470, or to the Heart ‘n Hands Mission, 395 Valley Road, Wayne, NJ 07470, or to the Hilltop Haven, 3638 Circle Ave, Paterson, NJ 07522.