Oakfield- Mr. Paul H. Mansfield, 91, of Oakfield, died Tuesday, (August 30, 2011) at Millard Fillmore Suburban Hospital, in Buffalo.
Mr. Mansfield was born December 9, 1919 in Ashville, PA, a son of the late Henry and Eleanor (Smith) Mansfield.
Paul was a member of the Civilian Conservation Corp when he was 17 and served honorably in the United States Army for nine years with the 517thParachute Infantry; achieving the rank of Staff Sergeant. He served in several campaigns, including the Battle of the Bulge, Rome-Arns, Southern France, Rhineland and Central Europe. In 1941, Paul served as a guard at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier in Arlington National Cemetery. He was a longstanding member of the American Legion Post #262 in Basom and a founding member of the VFW Post #4315 in Ashville, PA.
He worked for the U.S. Gypsum Co. in Oakfield for 8 years as well as the IBEW Local 1249 out of Syracuse for 22 years as a welder and mechanic. He loved tinkering in his garage, golfing, and spending time with his family. Paul was also a long time member of St. Padre Pio Parish – St. Cecelia’s Site, Oakfield.
Paul is survived by his loving wife of 61 years, Helen (Moran) Mansfield; daughter, Paulette (David) Brown of Batavia; two grandchildren, Samuel and Natalie, who meant the world to him. Several nieces and nephews as well as his favorite and only godchild, Ronald Becker also survive.
Mr. Mansfield is preceded in death by his son, Kenneth, who passed away March 25, 2001; sister, Betty; and brothers, Don, Jack, and Jim.
Friends may call on Friday from 6 to 8 p.m. at the Burdett & Sanford Funeral Home, 11 Maple Avenue, Oakfield. Paul’s Mass of Christian Burial will be held Saturday at 10:00 a.m. at St. Padre Pio Parish - St. Cecilia's Site, 56 Maple Avenue, Oakfield. Memorials may be made to St. Padre Pio Parish, or the American Legion Post #626, 6554 Alleghany Rd., Basom, NY, 14013. Burial, with full military honors will be in St. Cecilia's Cemetery, Oakfield. Condolences may be made at www.burdettandsanford.com. Flowers are gratefully declined.
