Paul Girsdansky

Seward- Paul S. Girsdansky, 55, of Seward, N.Y., died on Wednesday, Sept. 28, 2016. Born April 18,1961, in Manhattan, he was the son of Michael B. Girsdansky and Catherine T. Owen. Growing up, he spent time between Springfield Center and Westchester County, and graduated a year early from Springfield Central School in 1978.

Paul was an educator, journalist, bookmonger, lifelong learner and guardian of quadrupeds.

Paul attended Union College, University of Maryland and SUNY Oneonta before finishing his bachelor's degree in history from Excelsior College in 1986. He later earned a Master of Arts in Journalism from the University of Maryland (1989), a Master of Library Science from SUNY Albany (1996), a Specialist of Education degree in Learning Technologies from the University of Missouri (2005), a Master of Arts in English from Western New Mexico University (2013), and had finished much of the required coursework for a master's in history from Pittsburg State University.

A life-long scholar with many interests, Paul was selected by the National Endowment for Humanities to participate in several Summer Institute for Teachers programs in history and economics.

During his initial career as a journalist, he worked at various newspapers in the area including The Daily Gazette, the Troy Record and the Albany Times Union as a reporter and editor. He also worked at several other papers in New York and Maryland. Paul was later employed in public relations for the New York Library Association while pursuing his MLS degree and then transitioned into education. "Mr. G" had been the librarian at Frankfort-Schuyler since 1997. He was a fierce advocate and model for his students, and the library became a haven for many.

Paul married Kathleen Henry on Oct. 6, 2001, at the Windfall Dutch Barn in Salt Springville, N.Y. The wedding party was dressed in period costume for the service.

He enjoyed traveling and shared many cross-country adventures with his wife, daughter, and cousin. One of the unique adventures of his traveling was a coast-to-coast roadtrip on US Route 20. Paul had a particular affinity for the Atlantic Canada provinces. He also cherished his travels with his father-in-law and step-son, and shared his enthusiasm for travel, baseball games and national historic sites with his grandchildren.

Paul is survived by his wife, Kathleen A. Henry; his daughter, Gwendolyn Girsdansky (Zachary Matson); avuncular cousin, Dr. William Taber (Julienne Monroe); step-son, Matthew Benac (wife, Amber); beloved grandchildren, Timothy, Kaleb and Sydney Benac; sister, Karina (Dean) Wright, several nieces and nephews. Many extended family members survive.

Calling hours will be held 6 to 8 p.m. Friday, Oct. 7, and 1 to 2 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 8, at Mereness-Putnam Funeral Home, 171 Elm St., Cobleskill.. Service will be held at 2 p.m. at the funeral home followed by the burial. A gathering will be held after.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Paul S. Girsdansky Memorial Scholarship Fund-FSCSD, through the Frankfort-Schuyler Central School, Attn: Scholarship Fund, 605 Palmer Street, Frankfort, NY 13340.

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