Arlein, Paul H.

AVERILL PARK — Paul H. Arlein, 70 of Heather Ridge, passed away suddenly at his home on Tuesday, January 19, 2021.

Paul was born in Newark, N.J. and spent most of his adult life in upstate New York. Paul was a beautiful skier, a great cook, a loving father, grandfather, and brother, and a devoted and very kind husband.

Paul completed his bachelor’s degree at the University of Vermont and subsequently earned two master’s degrees. He was a career-long hospital administrator, holding positions at Ellis and Samaritan Hospitals in the Capital Region, as well as managing behavioral health programs in hospitals from Boston to Alaska, as a consultant. His lifelong devotion was caring for the long-term mentally ill and those in need.

Upon retirement, Paul was on the board of the Unity House of Troy and an active volunteer on the Rensselaer Plateau Alliance Trail Crew. Outside of his commitment to the community, he continued to ski regularly and play pickleball nearly every day rain, shine or snow - with the Averill Park Pickleball Group.

Paul is survived by his loving wife of 38 years, Jo Ann Merriman; and his two sons, Peter (Anna) and Jake. Paul affectionately known as Grandpa Fufu, will be missed dearly by his grandchildren, Sadie and Tully of Carbondale, Colo. He is also survived by his elder brother Robert "Butchie" (Vicki) Arlein and their two children, Daniel (Rose) and

Nina. Paul will be missed by the rest of his extended family in New Jersey and around the country, his adopted family of in-laws from Marietta, N.Y., and his many friends.

The family will be holding a celebration of life in the fall when everyone may safely be together. The event will be held in Syracuse, with details to be provided in the upcoming months.

For those that choose to honor Paul’s memory with a charitable donation, they may be made to Unity House 2431 Sixth Ave., Troy, NY, 12180, START Child Advocacy Center of Rensselaer County, 127 Bloomingrove Drive, 2nd Floor, Troy, NY, 12180, or Rensselaer Plateau 12180, or Rensselaer Plateau Alliance, P.O. Box 790, Averill Park, NY, 12018. Visit perrykomdat.com for a private guestbook.