Paul MALNOVE, age 97, of Jacksonville, Florida passed away on Saturday, August 28, 2021. Paul was born November 14, 1923 Paul Malnove, veteran, influencer, passionate businessman, lifelong learner and friend to all, passed away peacefully August 28, 2021. Funeral arrangements are being made at Oaklawn Chapel and Cemetery, 4801 San Jose Boulevard, Jacksonville, FL 32207. A memorial service date is forthcoming.
Paul was a first-generation immigrant whose mother and father, Lena and Max Malnove, migrated from Russia to New York City in the early 1900s in search of freedom for their future family. Max Malnove passed away unexpectedly when Paul was the tender age of 15 months. He and his sister were raised by their mother, who supported the family as a seamstress.
Paul is best known as the beloved visionary founder of Malnove Incorporated, a company he started in 1948. Under his leadership, it grew to become one of the foremost packaging manufacturing companies in North America.
Paul loved his work, the machinery and people. One of his foundational beliefs was that greatness lies within each of us—we only need to remove barriers for people to achieve great things. He lived his life, led his company, and guided his employees by this principle. He also shared his wisdom enthusiastically. In fact, he made it his mission to help and to teach others, inspiring greater achievements and success.
"Going back to the plants and seeing my friends and family are like coming home everytime."
—Paul Malnove
Growing up during the Great Depression shaped Paul’s resolve for perseverance. It also taught him the value of family and community, an essential characteristic he held close to his heart. Friends were most often considered family. He genuinely felt the Malnove team was a family, stating it was a wonderful group of people—and all were friends. This heartwarming belief created the endearing and enduring culture at Malnove, where everyone understands their individual value.
As a young boy, Paul loved airplanes. He built models and entered flying contests, spawning a lifelong love of flying. When Pearl Harbor was bombed and the US declared war, a fearless 19-year-old Paul joined the Army Air Forces/Corps. Always the quick learner, Paul was chosen for the B29 program for WWII.
A bombardier and recipient of the Distinguished Flying Cross, Paul experienced first-hand the necessity of trust during his bombing missions over Japan. He developed many of his leadership skills during this time, like the ability to make vital, gut-wrenching decisions and how to work together as a unified team. Most of all, he learned he had a choice: to live by trust in life and in people who work together for a greater good—a requirement not only for war, but for every day.
Paul is pre-deceased by his daughter, Susan, and grandson, Adam. He is survived by his loving wife, Kathleen Malnove; his children, Eric Malnove (Michele) and Nancy Malnove (Bill); his grandchildren, Ashley, Charlotte and Nash; and great grandchildren, Aidan, Anna and Oliver.
In lieu of flowers, the family requests prayers in his memory. The Malnove family’s hope is that Paul’s life and legacy will continue to have a lasting influence on future generations. May his memory be a blessing.
Notable:
• Veteran, Army Air Forces/Corps, 99th Bomb Squadron, 9th Bomb Squadron, First Lieutenant
• Malnove, Paul (Interview) 2019 B-29 Wings of the Marianas Reunion, Dayton, OH.
• Recipient of the Distinguished Flying Cross, Asia-Pacific Medal (with Oak Leaf Clusters), the WWII Air Medal (with Oak Leaf Clusters).
• Associated with the B-29 Wings of the Marianas and Distinguished Flying Cross Society Reunion in Dayton Ohio (Sept 2019)
• Video: https://cs-cz.facebook.com/b29museum/videos/777955159568008/
September 2019
• Video: https://digitalcommons.unf.edu/oral_history/2/
February 2018
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