Paul O'Herron
May 7, 1942 - April 13, 2020
Newburgh, NY
Paul O'Herron died peacefully in his home on April 13, 2020, after suffering with lung cancer for two years. He was 77.
Paul was born in Flushing, Queens, in 1942, the fifth of six children of Mary Rose McGlynn and John O'Herron. In 1947 the family moved to a farm in Newburgh, New York, where he enjoyed a happy childhood and grew to love nature.
He was educated by the Christian Brothers at St. Patrick's High School in Newburgh, then earned his bachelor's degree in physics and master's in philosophy at The Catholic University of America in Washington, D.C.
At Catholic University he met his wife, Rebecca Whelan, whom he married on New Year's Day in 1977. He and Becky moved back to Newburgh, where they raised eight children.
Paul taught physics and math at Poughkeepsie High School for 27 years, as well as philosophy for nearly 40 years at Mount Saint Mary College in Newburgh.
Paul was known for his witty humor and breadth of knowledge. His joyful outlook on the world was rooted in his deep faith and love for creation (with the exception of Brussels sprouts) which he shared with those around him through conversations, jokes, and in two books he wrote: An Alembic of Philosophy and Being and Joy.
He had an endless curiosity and love for traveling that led him to many adventures, including crossing Russia on the Trans-Siberian Railway (without a hat) in 1964, biking eight hundred miles through Europe (in one pair of jeans) in the 1980s, and, at the age of 75, befriending the Dalai Lama's brother in a café in New Delhi. He and Becky also welcomed the world into their home throughout their forty-three-year marriage, hosting hundreds of family members, friends, exchange students, and Chinese and Cambodian refugees.
Paul retired from teaching high school in 2005 and spent his time playing with his grandchildren, teaching philosophy, reading, painting, praying, tinkering with his farm projects, playing the recorder, and volunteering at the Newburgh Ministry and Habitat for Humanity.
He is survived and celebrated by his wife Becky and eight children: Stephen O'Herron, Teresa Foley, Siobhan O'Herron, Audrey Massey, Petra Nemeth, Micaela O'Herron, Ruth O'Herron and Thomas O'Herron in addition to his brothers John, Thomas and Raymund O'Herron; over fifty nieces and nephews; and 14 grandchildren: Shane, Teaghan, Aoife, Vera, Noah, Brendan, Paul, Colin, Augustine, Maria, Grace, Theodore, Inés and Mateo. He is predeceased by his siblings Jeanne Esquivel and James O'Herron.
A private burial will be held at Cedar Hill Cemetery and a funeral will be held at a future date. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Newburgh Ministry at www.newburghministry.org.