Paul Allen Lennington

Paul Lennington of Rush City passed away on Saturday, April 20, 2024 at his home at the age of 86.
 
Paul Lennington was born January 11, 1938 in a snowstorm at his family’s home in Layton, New Jersey.  He was the youngest of five children - Joe, Edith, Emma, and George.

Paul grew up on a farm alongside the Delaware River.  It provided the family with food and income.  There were many cows, sheep, pigs, chickens, ducks, rabbits, honeybees, cats, dogs, and horses.  The farm was large and provided room to explore. His love of nature and animals started at a very young age.  He had many stories of catching eels in the river, escaping bears, and deer hunting. Some stories were more common for the time, like riding horses into town.  Paul’s father, Grampy, was one of the first in the area to have a car.  Paul’s older siblings were the first to be treated with a ride to school.

Paul and cousin Jerry, as charming kids, became subjects in children books.  The owners of Little Golden Books created stories around Paul and Jerry.  You can find their pictures in “Down on the Farm” and “A Pony for Tony”.  The family friendship with the publishing company grew into a job opportunity for Paul.  He worked in publishing later as a teen prior to joining the army, and an occupation he later revisited when returning from Korea.

Like his brothers before him, Paul joined the service after high school.  His first assignment was in Leventhworth prison.  He was quickly promoted to manager.  His next assignment was in Korea where he met the love of his life, Budolyi.  They were quickly married and returned to the states, settling in Middletown, New York.  In Middletown, the family grew with two more daughters.  In 1972, the family settled in Newburgh, New York where Jake was born.

Missing the country, the family moved again upstate to smaller towns of  Middleburgh and later Sharon Springs.   During the 1980’s, dairy farms surrounded the area. 

In 1984, Paul found a job opportunity in Minneapolis, at which time the family relocated.  Paul and family lived in Braham, and then later Rush City. Paul retired from printing in his early 70’s.  Upon retirement, Paul explored new hobbies.  He purchased a Can-Am motorcycle.  He was passionate about riding in his tophat and seeing new countryside.  He made several trips out east to visit family including his brother Joe.  He would find new routes across Michigan and Canada.  He enjoyed the northern lights and would stop at any time to simply sit and soak in the beauty of nature.

Family extended to other states including Missouri.  Paul had no hesitation to continue the east coast trip to include Missouri to visit brother George. He was amused and challenged with riding in “armadillo country”.

Paul, embracing country living, collected all things John Deere.  He dedicated his favorite truck to the color of John Deere green and yellow.  He truly enjoyed the questions, like “where did you get that truck?”

At home, all animals were welcome.  He was known to adopt a family of skunks.  Eagles, woodpeckers, hummingbirds, and various other birds are visitors outside his back deck.  Paul spent many sunny days on the porch with the birds entertaining him.

His latest adoption was a white cat that walked into the house through an open door and made himself at home.  Paul welcomed his new companion who was with him for the rest of his life.

Paul is survived by his children Sweety Lennington of Tully, New York, Kande Lenninigton (Chris Zimmerman) of St. Paul Park, Hahn (Steven) Lotz of Albany, New York, Jake (Susan) Lennington of North Branch; grandchildren Keely Richardson, Robbie Richardson, Ashley Pena`, Ryan Lotz, Hailey Lotz, Felecia Lennington, Auggie Lennington; one great-granddaughter; many nieces and nephews.
 
He was preceded in death by his parents Charles and Lena Lennington; wife Budolyi Lennington.
 
Funeral Services for Paul: 11 AM; Friday, April 26, 2024 with a time of visitation and reviewal one hour prior to the service all at the Olson Funeral Chapel in Rush City. The interment will take place in Oak Grove Cemetery, Harris.

Memorials may be directed to:

The Nature Conservancy

Attn. Treasury

4245 North Fairfax Drive

Suite 100

Arlington, VA 22203

Funeral arrangements are entrusted to the Funeral and Cremation Service of Rush City ~ Olson Chapel
www.FuneralAndCremationService.com