Paul Denneny Wells

Paul attended high school at the Latin School of Chicago. He was the President of his senior class. Paul played right tackle for the football team and won the Cook County Championship his senior year. This accomplishment was achieved through his courage because as a young boy he was told he may never walk normally after being involved in automobile crash as an infant. Paul was also in his high school drama club. After high school Paul went on to attend Northwestern University in Evanston, Illinois and the world-famous American Academy of Art in Chicago. From there, he went on to work for the family business magazine known as Children’s Activities as one of the lead artists. He went on to become the sales promotion manager for the Popular Mechanics Magazine and also a toy designer. Paul advanced his career when he became the head advertising copy writer for Allstate Insurance in their advertising department.

On March 31, 1951 Paul married his beloved wife, Jeanne Carey, and they went on to have 3 children. In 1958 the family moved to Central Florida to manage the family business of Wells Groves Company. Once here Paul became an integral part of the community. He attended St. Joseph Catholic Church in Winter Haven where he was one of the founding fathers of the Winter Haven Knights of Columbus and held many different leadership roles to include Past Grand Knight. Paul along with his friends helped to build Saint Joseph Church in Winter Haven. Paul was the Boy Scout leader for Troop 220 of St. Joseph’s Church. He was a member of the Florida Citrus Mutual and the Polk County Advertising Association.

Paul learned to love acting while in his high school drama class and while attending Northwestern University. This love carried with him throughout his life and truly flourished once he arrived in central Florida. Paul was one of the pioneers for the Winter Haven Community Theater as well as the Lakeland Community Theater. Over the years he held many leading rolls in world renowned plays, among them being Tevye in Fiddler on the Roof, Fagin in Oliver, Andrew Wyke in Sleuth, and Willy Loman in Death of a Salesman. He starred in Orphans, Ten Little Indians, South Pacific, Oklahoma, Front Page, Shadow Box, Man from La Mancha and many others. Paul in his lead role in Shadow Box, and his fellow actors’ won the Florida and the Southeast Competition for Best Theatre production. They advanced to the national competition and together they finished second in the United States Competition for Best Play in Kalamazoo, Michigan. The play Orphans not only won Best Theater Production in the United States, but also went on to win the International Competition for Best Play held in Ireland. Throughout his time in the theater, Paul personally received many best actor awards and supporting actor awards. He was loved by many in his theatre group and he loved them all right back.

While in retirement, Paul was a world traveler with his wife and friends. The many places he and wife Jeanne visited included Rome in Italy, Fatima in Portugal, Lourdes in France, Ireland, Japan, the former Yugoslavia, Chile, Mexico, Hawaii, Argentina, Brazil, Germany, Austria, Belgium, Poland and a number of other countries. Paul’s love of Jesus was his guiding light. He asked the Blessed Mother Mary to help him in life by saying the rosary every day for over 60 years.

Paul was predeceased by his beloved wife Jeanne C. Wells, daughter Cindy Wells, mother Ione Ruel Denneny, father Paul Joseph Denneny and adopted parents Harry and Ella Wells. He is survived by sons Paul Wells Jr. (wife Peggy) and Jim Wells (wife Patti), grandchildren Paul Wells III, Lindsey Smith, Michael Kempski, Catherine Mary Kempski, Carey Ion Kempski and Matthew Wells Kempski and 9 great-grandchildren along with his most dear friend Judy Holt and many other extended family members and friends who will miss him dearly.

A visitation will be held at Ott-Laughlin Funeral Home in Winter Haven on Friday, November 18, 2022 from 4:00 PM to 7:00 PM. A funeral mass is set to take place at St. Joseph Catholic Church in Winter Haven on Saturday, November 19, 2022 at 9:30 AM followed by burial at Rolling Hills Cemetery in Winter Haven. A reception will take place at the Parish Center of Saint Joseph Church, Winter Haven upon conclusion of the services.

Please say a rosary for the repose of the soul of Paul Wells. In lieu of flowers the family requests donations be made to the Knights of Columbus, Council 4726, Assembly 1500 PO BOX 2088 Winter Haven, FL 33883 - 2088 which can be made by contacting Tony Corrente at 863-206-0775 or by email at corra2@aol.com.