Paul Francis Noll

Born in Elizabeth, NJ on February 5, 1937, Paul was a devoted husband to Rosie and proud dad to David and Chris. He is preceded in death by his parents John and Anna Noll, and by his older brother Johnny.

Paul was an avid reader and filled his house with books, especially books about baseball. He enjoyed all sports, and would spend hours poring over baseball statistics and data. He repaired mantelpiece clocks and loved to collect stamps and jigsaw puzzles. Paul traced his love for jigsaw puzzles to his Great-Aunt Donda and their weekly family gatherings. He rarely stopped at a garage sale without buying something. He passed on his love for reading, playing games, and advocacy to his sons and grandchildren.

Paul actively sought opportunities to create memories with his sons, who warmly recall visiting Grandma Anna in New Jersey, going to the Boardwalk in Seaside Heights, camping in the Smoky Mountains, and spending snowy winters in Washington, DC. In later years, Paul made time to nurture precious relationships when he and Rosie often took road trips to visit family and friends.

Paul is fondly remembered for cherishing his family and friends with hand-written notes. These notes reflected Paul's thoughtfulness, humor, and deeply held values of speaking up for the “little guy.” A brief comment during a conversation could result in a note and news clipping that made Paul think of that person. Or perhaps they had shared a laugh and a comic strip was on the way. Or as was often the case when he observed economic or racial discrimination and disparity, an exasperated note came, or a passionate letter to the editor of the local paper.

Paul was an accomplished advocate for Housing and City Planning with a career that spanned multiple cities and decades. He earned his bachelor’s degree in Architecture at Pratt Institute in Brooklyn, NY, and master’s degrees in City Planning and Architecture at the University of Pennsylvania in Philadelphia, where he met Ann, mother to his sons David and Chris.

His Fulbright Fellowship took him to Sweden where he conducted comparative studies of housing for the elderly in Western Europe. From there, he went on to specialize in accessible Housing, Urban Design, and Community Development and was a professor at Florida State University and Michigan State University. He served in the Housing Director’s Office and City Planning Commission in Philadelphia, PA, the Housing Assistance Council in Washington, DC, and the Department of Community Affairs in Tallahassee, FL.

In his retirement, Paul continued his efforts to learn and improve himself. He will be remembered for his sensitivity, openness to new ideas, and love for his family. The simple joys of shared meals, playing games, and telling stories all revolved around connecting and focusing on what was most important to him. As he reflected in December, he had lived "a good, long life," and he felt very blessed.

Paul is survived by his wife Rosie of Palm Coast, FL; son David, daughter-in-law Barri, and grandchildren Harrison and Brittany of Panama City, FL; son Chris, daughter-in-law Jen, and granddaughter Alia of Fullerton, CA; step-daughter Bee Farrell and grandchildren Erin and Kester of England; step-daughter Jo Farrell of Hong Kong; and sister Eleanor, OSB of Lutherville, MD.

Due to COVID precautions and to protect the vulnerable, a memorial has not yet been scheduled. In lieu of flowers, kindly offer support, in memory of Paul Noll, to the Benedictine Sisters of Baltimore, 2229 W. Joppa Rd., Lutherville, MD 21093 or the Jerry Doliner Food Bank, 470 Andalusia Ave., Ormond Beach, FL 32174.

Fond memories and expressions of sympathy may be shared at www.craigflaglerpalms.com for the Noll family.