Dean Zachary Paul

1934-2026

Dean Z. Paul, age 92, of Mt. Lebanon, Pennsylvania passed from this life on Thursday, September 24, 2026. He died at his home wrapped in the care and the love of his wife and their four children.

He is survived by his family – his beloved wife Alice Tousimis Paul, their children: Maria Paul, Anne (& Ed) Clarke, Dina (& Jeff) Friedel, and Zachary (& Tracy) Paul, and their 11 grandchildren: Mia, Jordan, Jeffrey, Christopher, Spencer, Nicholas, Chloe, Michael, Kiera, Griffin and Penelope.

Dean, the son of the late Zack and Anne Paul, grew up in Whitehall. A fun-loving young man, he graduated in 1953 from Baldwin High School where he played basketball and football. In 1957 he graduated from the University of Pittsburgh with a degree in business. He served honorably in the US Army from 1957-1959. For the majority of his working life, Dean was the co-owner of Paul’s Market located in Pittsburgh’s strip district.

Growing up, Dean and his family were active members of St. Nicholas Greek Orthodox Cathedral. In 1960, he met his wife Alice at a church dance. They were engaged 6 months later and married in 1961 spending 66 deeply committed, fun and loving years together. Dean was strong in his Orthodox faith and cherished the many lifelong friendships of his church/GOYA group – even hosting a game with his reunited GOYA basketball team when he was in his 50’s. Many of this group were also in attendance at his movie “debut” alongside Jean-Claude Van Damme in 1996.

As a youngster, Dean and his family enjoyed vacations in Ocean City, NJ - a place he loved and that became a favorite tradition throughout his marriage – first with his children and later with his grandchildren spending summers in the same location. He was the patriarch of his family and very involved in the lives of his children and grandchildren. He attended ALL of their spring sings, 5th grade clap-outs, concerts, skating competitions, recitals, talent shows, scholastic achievement ceremonies and sporting events – celebrating them and cheering them on at each turn. Every year he made each of the 11 grandchildren a “short-timer calendar” which started exactly 30 days before their birthday so they could count down to the big day. He was the first driving instructor for his children and then for the majority of his grandchildren. He enjoyed each moment with his family – whether it was playing endless rounds of putt putt, jumping off a boat in Greece to swim with them in his 70’s, riding the rides on the Ocean City boardwalk as recently as a few years ago, or striking a pinata with them at age 87.

He helped many people during his life – most times behind the scenes and never seeking recognition for the same. He will be deeply missed and lovingly remembered by all who really knew him as a true gentleman, a gentle giant, and a loving husband, father, father-in-law and Papou who fiercely adored his family and lived life to the fullest.

May his memory be eternal

Visitation 5-8 pm Sunday, September 27th, 2026, WILLIAM SLATER II FUNERAL SERVICE, 1650 Greentree Rd., Scott Twp., 15220. (412-563-2800) Trisagion Service 7 pm Sunday evening at the funeral home. Visitation from 10 am until the time of the Funeral Liturgy at 11 am on Monday, September 28, 2026, at Holy Cross Greek Orthodox Church, 123 Gilkeson Rd., Mt. Lebanon, 15228. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to a charity of your choice. www.slaterfuneral.com