Obituary of Paul Daniel McGinnis

Paul Daniel McGinnis, 94, of Ashtabula passed away peacefully Friday, January 1, 2021 surrounded by family at the Lantern of Saybrook where he had been a resident since February of 2016 He was born to Florence (Sweeney) McGinnis and Lawrence K. McGinnis on June 29, 1926 in Columbus, Ohio, he was the second of five siblings. He was a resident of Marion, Ohio in his youth, Ashtabula, Ohio until his retirement upon which time he moved to Burntstore Colony, Punta Gorda, Florida from 1996 until his return to Ohio in 2016 for health reasons. Danny graduated high school from St. Mary’s Catholic School in Marion, Ohio. He was a member or Our Lady of Peace, Mother of Sorrows Parish, where he was an usher, active in the festival during the summer, the Carsillo movement, and reading at the daily Mass upon his retirement, until his move to Florida. Upon graduation he enlisted in to the United States Navy where he proudly served in World War II in the Pacific, from 1944 through 1946. While on his way to the Pacific Conflict, the Japanese surrendered, and he returned home. He tried his hand in the insurance business, following in his father’s footsteps, upon his return from the service , however he found he was called in a different career, direction, vocation. He then attended and graduated from Dennison College. He married Mary Frances Cusick on September 15, 1951. Together they had four children. He began his teaching career at St. Francis Xavier High School in Newark, Ohio. Opportunity presented itself in the form and offer to teach at a Catholic High School, in northeastern Ohio, at St. John’s High School, in Ashtabula; where he taught and coached football and basketball and served as the athletic director. He also officiated basketball and softball for many years in Ashtabula. Following St. John, he taught at Jefferson Junior High School for a semester he continued as a teacher , and athletic director at Fairport Harding High School. He earned his Master’s Degree in Guidance Counseling from Edinboro University while working full-time and raising four children on his own. Upon graduation, he became the Guidance Counselor at Fairport, until his retirement. Danny was also inducted into the St. John Hall of Fame, Touchdown Club Hall of Fame, and the National Honor Society while at Fairport Harbor. He was also the Past Commander of the Army Navy Union in Ashtabula. He contributed several volunteer hours to the Goodwill Literacy Program in Ashtabula and upon moving to Florida he became an AARP driver education teacher for Seniors. He is survived by his sisters, Ann Bishop, Marilyn (Robert) Smith, and Martha Hermsen; children, Michelle (Guy) Imbrogno, L. Kevin McGinnis, and Sheila (Pat O’Block)McGinnis; grandchildren, Jolene Salo, Laura Salo, MacKenzie (Sean) Neer, Paul (Stephanie) Moore-Izzi, Matt (Ashley Krantz) Izzi, Daniel (Suzanne) McGinnis, and Jackson (Kim) McGinnis; great-grandchildren, Daunte Pollard, Emma Neer, Aiden Neer, Carmen Davis, Channing McGinnis, Knox Fellenger; and numerous nieces and nephews. Paul was preceded in death by his wife Mary; son, Tom McGinnis; brother, Robert McGinnis, and his parents. A Memorial Mass will be held Saturday, January 9, 2021 at 1:00 PM at Our Lady of Peace Parish, Mother of Sorrows, 1464 W 6th St, Ashtabula, OH 44004. Inurnment will follow at St. Joseph Cemetery in Ashtabula. The services will be streamed live on the Ducro Funeral Services Facebook Page. Memorial contributions may be made in his name to St. John High School, 7911 Depot Rd., Ashtabula, Ohio 44004. The family would like to Thank the staff of the Lantern of Saybrook and Hospice of the Western Reserve for the kindness and care they gave to Paul over the years. Ducro Funeral Services, 4524 Elm Ave., Ashtabula is handling arrangements. Online obituary and condolences at www.ducro.com