Paul Schwebel, 1945-2020

He was born April 29, 1945, in Youngstown, to the late Irving and Dorothy Unger Schwebel.

He was a June 1963 graduate of The Rayen School in Youngstown. In 1967, Paul graduated from The Ohio State University with a bachelor of science degree in business administration, with a concentration in accounting. Immediately following graduation, he went to work at Youngstown Sheet and Tube in the Management Services department. In 1968, he joined the family business, the Schwebel Baking Company, which was founded by his grandparents, Joseph and Dora Schwebel, in 1906. Paul served in various capacities at Schwebel’s, including treasurer, executive vice president and president. His dedication and loyalty to the business was unparalleled. It is said he had flour, not blood, running through his veins.

Paul was extremely involved in the Jewish community, particularly the Youngstown Area Jewish Federation and its agencies. He served in numerous positions with the Federation including serving on the board as vice president and treasurer and as a member of its executive, budget, investment, and audit committees. Most recently, Paul was instrumental in the establishment of the Youngstown Area Jewish Cemetery Association.

Paul also served in various leadership positions for the Combined Jewish Appeal and helped raise much needed funds for the founding and building of Akiva Academy, serving as its second president. One of Paul’s great loves was Heritage Manor, the Jewish Home for the Aged, where he served as its treasurer and president. He was instrumental in the leadership and development of Levy Gardens Assisted Living in 1997 and received the Marvin and Sara Itts Community Award for that work. He again received the Itts award in 2006 for his tremendous leadership in shepherding the federation through a long and complicated strategic planning process. Paul was honored with the first Abe Harshman Young Leadership Award in 1984 and received the B’nai B’rith Guardian of the Menorah honor ≠and Allocations Committee. Among other honors, he received the American Business Women O My O Chapter “Boss of the Year” in 1982.

Paul was a modest man who tried to keep a low profile. He did not seek honors and was most content to be in the background. He was a quiet leader. People knew that Paul’s goals always reflected the goals of the organization he was working with. He was a master compromiser; he listened well and engendered a great deal of respect from others. He was a true class act.

Paul married his wife, Dorothy Lichtenstein Schwebel, in August 1973. They had three children, Adam, Jana (Joe) Leenheer and Maryn (Paul) Been. Paul’s grandchildren, Ilyana and Juliet Leenheer, and Ryan and Izaak Been, truly lit up his face whenever he saw them.

He was preceded in death by his daughter, Maryn, and his brother, Joseph.

He also loved gardening, exercising, being in Naples, Fla., and watching “60 Minutes” on Sunday evenings with his family.

Private graveside services will be held 1:30 p.m. Tuesday, Dec. 8, 2020, at Anshe Emeth Cemetery on Granada Avenue.

To view the service via Zoom, use meeting ID: 711 748 33580.

Contributions may be made to the Paul Schwebel Memorial Fund to be used at the Cleveland Clinic for squamous cell carcinoma research. Please send donations to Paul Schwebel Memorial Fund, c/o Jana Leenheer at 3854 Meadowvale Drive, Akron, OH 44333.

Arrangements are being handled by The Shriver-Allison-Courtley-Weller-King Funeral Home. Friends and family may view this obituary and share memories and their condolences at http://www.shriverallisoncourtleyfuneralhome.com.

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