Paul Edward Gleitz, Jr.

Paul Edward Gleitz, Jr., 78, a resident of Cape Coral, FL, passed away Monday, January 22, 2024, in Fort Myers, FL.

He was born September 7, 1945, in Newark, NJ, to Paul Edward and Ann Marie Gleitz. The family moved to Middletown soon after, and Paul was raised with his brother Gary and sister Donna on Garfield Avenue in the Belford neighborhood near Raritan Bay. The family suffered a tragic loss when his father died of appendicitis when Paul was just 15 years old. He soon started working to help the family, though he still found time to work on cars and hot rod around the Bayshore. He was a graduate of Middletown High School.

Paul worked for the US Postal Service for 40 years, starting as a letter carrier and moving into maintenance. He became a skilled tradesman for the Postal Service, receiving training in HVAC, locksmithing, electrical, plumbing and carpentry. He plied those trades within post offices throughout Monmouth County. Paul was also a proud member of the American Postal Workers Union. Paul served in the US Army during the Vietnam era. Though he never served overseas, he was witness to the social unrest in the late 60’s and early 70’s in Newark, Trenton and Asbury Park as a member of the NJ National Guard.

Paul met his wife, Rosemary, on Christmas Day 1962, when he and some friends were looking to borrow a can opener (church key). They fell quickly in love and married in 1968. Paul and Rosemary raised their sons, Paul III and Brian Joseph, in Manasquan, NJ. As a loving and caring husband and father, Paul worked the day shift while his wife worked nights to provide the home in which they took so much pride. Paul served for 20 years in Manasquan Hook and Ladder Company #2 as a volunteer fireman and was on the local Boy Scout Troop Committee, joining his sons on Scout trips to Valley Forge and the Pine Barrens.

Paul and Rosie loved to travel and camp, taking their sons all over the country to visit national parks and roadside attractions. There was the annual trip to Disney World in spring or fall, and the camping trip to Maine in the summer. Paul loved the outdoors, hiking, fishing, and canoeing all around the country, and he was a hell of a water skier. He was a lifelong collector of stamps, coins, antiques, and collectables. His passion for Lionel trains was only eclipsed by his love for his grandkids, Emmett and Violet. The great joy of his later life was traveling to New Jersey for summer beach weeks and the holidays to watch his grandkids grow, teaching them to fish and tucking them in at night.

Paul and Rosie built the retirement house of their dreams in Cape Coral with a pirate themed swimming pool and guest rooms for the grandkids. They enjoyed retired life, until Rosie began her long struggle with Alzheimer’s disease. Paul and Brian Joseph lovingly cared for her as the disease progressed, keeping her at home and honoring her final wishes until her death in 2018.

Paul is survived by his son Paul III and his wife Annie; his son Brian Joseph; his grandchildren Emmett and Violet; his brother Gary Gleitz and his wife Eileen; and his sister Donna George. He is also survived by his sister-in-law Joann and her husband James Plumaker; his sister-in-law Barbara and her husband Robert Reutter; his brother-in-law Paul Eschelbach and his husband Michael; his brother-in-law Matthew Eschelbach and his wife Jeanine. He is also survived by dozens of loving nieces and nephews, his extended family, and countless friends in Florida and New Jersey.

A celebration of Paul’s life and memory will take place in New Jersey in Spring 2024.

Mullins Memorial Funeral Home & Cremation Service, Cape Coral, is entrusted with final care.