Obituary of Paul Thomas Engemann

Paul Thomas Engemann, 47, of Fairfield, husband of Amanda and father to Kelton, 13, and Andrea, 11, passed away suddenly November 3, 2010. Paul was born on July 30, 1963, in the small town of Hart, Michigan. Recently, he loved telling all his "glory" day stories in painful detail about growing up in Michigan, working in his Dad's restaurant, and his college days. He graduated from Michigan State University top of his class in 1986 with a Bachelor Degree in Landscape Architecture and Design, with a minor in Urban Planning. He moved to Darien in 1987 and took much pride in calling Connecticut his new home. Paul and Amanda met in 1991 and had an instant connection as they were both starting on new adventures in Darien. With much coaxing, Paul boarded an Aer Lingus flight to Ireland where he and Amanda were married in 1993. Shortly thereafter they moved to Fairfield. Within a few years they started a family and moved to their current residence. Paul loved his neighborhood where he could be seen walking and playing with his children. Paul began his career as an assistant director of Public Works in Darien. He then moved to the University of Bridgeport where he was a facilities manager. Paul then worked for the Board of Education in Fairfield before his love for Town of Darien pulled him back to become the Director of Facilities, Construction and Operations for the Darien Public Schools.. Paul was an intricate member in the planning and implementation in building of the new Darien High School, Tokeneke School, as well as refurbishing Middlesex and the other elementary schools. Paul worked closely with the State of Connecticut and the town of Darien to ensure the prompt and safe completion of all projects. Paul could always be counted on to assist the whole town. After numerous town meetings Paul would frequently be referred to as a "class act". He really was a classy man. Paul was an active member in the youth sports programs in Fairfield coaching his son's little league and basketball teams, as well as his daughter's soccer team. He was a former president of the Lake Hills Association where he shared his wealth of knowledge in regards to the beautification of the association. Paul volunteered numerous hours as a building committee member for the Fairfield Public Schools Capital Improvement Projects. He was a strong supporter of educational excellence in both the Fairfield and Darien Public schools. Paul was a volunteer for the Boy Scouts and an active member of the Greenfield Hills Congregational Church. Sharing quality time with his family was Paul's first priority. Whether it was sitting on his dock judging cannonball contests, fishing with his children, hiking at Lake Mohegan, playing Cribbage with his son, or letting his daughter decorate him with makeup and fake jewelry. He was always with the children and teasing them with cuddles and tickling them while saying "these hands were registered with the FBI" or attacking them with his famous claw hugs. Both Kelton and Andrea describe Daddy as a modest man. Paul's hobbies included reading, telling stories to his children about his childhood in Michigan, cooking, watching sports and listening to music. Paul was a wiz at trivia games and took incredible pride in his writing skills. In addition to his wife and children, Paul is survived by his mother Marilynn Engemann of Whitehall, Michigan, his siblings Jane Engemann of Lawton OK; Judi and (Greg) Sting of Linwood, Michigan; Peter Engemann of Lansing, Michigan; his brother-in-law, Oscar Rosalez of Midland, Michigan; his in-laws, Cecil and Anna Bothwell of Brookeborough, Northern Ireland, Harold and (Rosemary) Bothwell of Fivemiletown; Barbara and (Jon) Sweeney of Westport, Louis and (Gillian) Bothwell of Staffordshire, England; Alan Bothwell and his fianc, Karen Smith of Fivemiletown, Northern Ireland his nephews and nieces; Josh, Allyn, and Jacob Rosalez; Rosanna, Alexandra, and Nicholas Bothwell; Melissa and Kristen Sweeney; Robert and Jonathan Bothwell; and many aunts, uncles, cousins and friends. Paul was predeceased by his beloved father and truly his best friend Thomas Fredrick Engemann. Funeral services will take place at Greenfield Hills Congregational Church in Fairfield, CT on Monday, November 8, 2010 at 11:00am. Calling hours will be 2-6pm Sunday November 7, 2010 at the Edward Lawrence Funeral Home in Darien In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made to: Burt M. Hoffman, Trustee for the benefit of Kelton and Andrea Engemann Educational Fund, 1234 Summer Street, Stamford, CT 06905 Funeral Home: Edward Lawrence Funeral Home 2119 Post Road Darien, CT USA 06820