Paul James Zaleskie

Paul James Zaleskie

May 25, 1939 – January 3, 2026

Paul Zaleskie, 86, went to be with our heavenly father on January 3, 2026. Paul was born and raised in Shamokin, PA, the son of Leonard and Ada Zaleskie. His mother made him take piano lessons at an early age, sparking his life-long passion for performing music. His father was mechanically-inclined, encouraging him to take apart small engines and put them back together for fun. In his teens, Paul became organist for the Primitive Methodist Church in Shamokin, and began dating Barbara while they were students at Shamokin High School. They married July 28, 1962 after he graduated from Bloomsburg University. Paul earned his Master’s degree from Bucknell University.

At Troy High School, Paul taught basic science, chemistry, physics, nuclear physics and aviation classes for over 30 years, and served as an advisor for the Sportsmen’s Club and the Troy Robotics Team. Paul was actively engaged in the Troy community as a 50-year member of Sylvania Lions Club (Sylvania, PA). He received the highest Lions Club Honor, the Melvin Jones Award, for outstanding humanitarian service and dedication to the organization's mission. He also enjoyed golfing and flying. He earned his private pilot’s license, and built and flew an experimental airplane with friend Tom Prutsman.

Paul performed as a pianist in the region in both churches and secular venues. He attended the Troy Presbyterian Church, Troy Baptist Church, Holy Trinity United Methodist Church and Windfall Community Church. He was preceded in death by his parents, Leonard and Ada Zaleskie, his father- and mother-in-law, William and Thelma Thomas, and sister-in-law, Jeanette Thomas. He is survived by his wife, Barbara, daughter Linda and her spouse, Andrea Stewart, numerous cousins and many former Troy High School science students he fondly remembered by name.

A celebration of Paul’s life will be held on Saturday, January 17 at the First Baptist Church of Troy, 579 Canton Street, Troy, PA. Friends and family are invited to a visitation hour, from 10:30 AM – 11:30 AM. A memorial service will follow directly afterward at 11:30 (Pastor Lynn Lockwood officiating), with a luncheon to follow in the Baptist Church Fellowship Hall. Burial arrangements to be made at a later date with Vickery Funeral Home and Northumberland Memorial Park in Stonington, PA. The Gerald W. Vickery, Jr. Funeral and Cremation Services, Inc. Troy, PA has been entrusted with the arrangements.