Paul Ecenia

November 19, 1919 – December 23, 2010

Paul Ecenia was born in N.Y.C. on November 19, 1919 to Gregory “Harry” Ecenia and Anna Soroka. Paul was baptized in the Russian Cathedral in NYC.

Paul was a W.W.II veteran with two Purple Hearts and seven battle stars. He is a Pearl Harbor Survivor and a retired Captain. He was at Normandy, Bastogne, Midway, the Bulge, and the Rhine Crossing Battle of Germany. He was the World Armed Forces jitterbug Champion in 1944.

Paul married Rita Vann from San Antonio, Texas in 1945 . They moved to Tampa in 1954 and owned and operated Allied Fence Company for over 40 years. Rita and Paul celebrated their 65th wedding anniversary. In the 1950’s Paul wrote a column called “In My Opinion” for a Tampa weekly paper.

Paul was an accomplished singer, dancer and actor with many theatrical and film credits and was known for his large collection of 16 mm full length feature films.

He owned and operated The Bowery on Madeira Beach. The Bowery was one of the last venues in the area to have a full floor show nightly with featured entertainers. He enjoyed entertaining, planning shows, and emcee-ing. He participated in many USO shows produced by Tampa entrepreneur Tony Garcia.

Paul was a Past President of the St. Patrick's Day Association and the Tampa Community Theatre. He was a member of Actor’s Equity, the Greater Tampa Showman's Association, Elks Club 708, St. Gregory Parish Council, the Latin American Fiesta Association, and numerous business organizations. Paul was one of the founders of St. Gregory Russian Orthodox Church, in Tampa

Paul was a League Bowler and avid fisherman. He collected stamps, coins, WWII patches, antique liquor bottles, Movie Magazines, Matchbox cars, hats, weapons, Elvis dolls, movies, records, masks, and joke books!!

He is survived by his wife Rita, son Gregory (Barbara) and daughter Tandova Ecenia-Oberst (Lash), granddaughter Tatiana Baile (Brian), great grandson, Jackson and many nieces and nephews

The family wishes to thank Mary Bell Hickman and George Spinka, for their friendship and loving care of Paul over the years and also, Father Joseph of St. Philip the Apostle Orthodox Church for his spiritual care of Paul.

Visitation will be held Tues. Dec. 28th at 7pm, Panikhinda at 7:30 to 8:15pm and on Wed. Dec. 29, 2010 Divine Liturgy will be held all at 10am at St. Philip the Apostle Orthodox Church 9100 El Portal Drive Tampa, Florida 33604. Interment will follow at Myrtle Hill Cemetery. The family would like to invite everyone back to the church for refreshments.