Paul Miles Schoonmaker

Paul Miles Schoonmaker was born on September 1, 1942, in Middletown, New York, to Madoline and Roland Schoonmaker.

He grew up with his parents and two brothers on Walnut Street in Montgomery, New York, where he spent his entire childhood.

During his senior year of high school, Paul’s school district merged with another nearby—a twist of fate that led him to cross paths with Carol Stevens in a hallway. He asked her out—perhaps to a dance or a movie; neither could quite recall—but what mattered was that it began a lifelong love story. They soon married and raised four children together.

After high school, Paul served in the U.S. Army, stationed at Fort Dix, New Jersey. When his service ended, he and Carol returned to their hometown, where Paul began a long and dedicated career as a lineman for the New York State Gas and Electric Company.

Paul’s life revolved around family, church, hard work, and the simple joys of creating and fixing things. He loved spending time with his children—wrestling in the living room after supper, coaching their teams, or planning one-on-one adventures to connect with each of them and their dreams. His grandchildren made him unspeakably proud.

He had an enduring passion for cars and hands-on projects of every kind, none greater than his 1953 Allard J2X race car, which he rescued from a local junkyard and painstakingly restored to mint condition.

More than anything, Paul cherished his life with Carol. The two were inseparable—rarely seen apart and never walking anywhere without holding hands.

After raising their family, Paul and Carol began new adventures together. Inspired by their travels and road rallies throughout Europe, they built their dream home in the Catskill Mountains, surrounded by trees and clear streams reminiscent of the landscapes they loved abroad.

In the years that followed, Paul served his community as a councilman for the Town of Denning, NY. He and Carol filled their days with home projects, design, woodcutting, and the thrill of showing their cars—Paul’s beloved Allard and Carol’s elegant Jaguar—winning numerous trophies at local and regional events.

Paul was a devoted husband, father, and grandfather whose warmth, humor, and enduring kindness, grace, and faith touched everyone who knew him.

On Tuesday, September 30, 2025, Paul entered eternal rest. He was preceded in death by his wife, Carol; their youngest son, Mark Douglas Schoonmaker; his parents; and his brother, Gerald Schoonmaker.

Paul is survived by his brother, Glenn Schoonmaker; his three loving children, Michael S. Schoonmaker (Sharon), Allen P. Schoonmaker (Nance), and Amanda L. Grey (Tom); his daughter-in-law, Christine Pennes (Vic); eight grandchildren—Vaughn Trudeau, Logan M. Schoonmaker, Elan M. Schoonmaker (Daniela), Erin Grey Kachur (Sergey), Ryan T. Grey, Mark D. Schoonmaker Jr., Riley L. Schoonmaker, and Roland S. Schoonmaker; two great-grandchildren, Miles Henley Schoonmaker and Stella June Schoonmaker; and several nieces and nephews.

Friends are invited to visitation at Millspaugh Funeral Home in Walden, NY, on Friday, October 10, from 4:00–7:00 p.m. A memorial service will be held on Saturday, November 29, 2025, at 11:00 a.m. at Westminster Presbyterian Church, Station Road, Rock Tavern, NY 12575.

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