Paul Joseph Emilius

Paul Joseph Emilius, 86, passed away on Sunday, April 3, 2016, at his home in Sparta, surrounded by his loving family.
Paul was born in Manhattan, N.Y., in 1930, raised in Yonkers N.Y., and spent his family life in West Milford, N.J. and Sanibel Island, Fla.
Paul was married to Joan Brennan Emilius of Yonkers for 62 years.
As a young man, he was a Squire in the Knights of Columbus and later served many years as a Knight of Columbus. He was an active leader in the community and applied his knowledge and experience to many charitable organizations.
Paul served in the Korean War as an Army Reservist in the 332nd Engineer Aviation Battalion. His entrepreneurial spirit led him to open Emilius Associates in Oak Ridge in 1960, and under his leadership the firm expanded to become Geod Companies, a network of companies providing land surveying and photogrammetry services, with offices in New Jersey and Massachusetts.
Paul took great pride in the achievements of the notable projects for which his company provided land surveys, including the Statue of Liberty, Brooklyn Bridge, Manhattan Bridge, World Trade Center site, and most major highways through New Jersey and New York, as well as project sites in Africa, the Caribbean Islands and Spain.
Paul was dedicated to his family, church, and community. He leaves behind his beloved wife, Joan; their seven children, Paul, Sharon, John, Chris, Laureen, Allison, and Eric, and their spouses, Mary Emilius, Danny Abbott, Maureen Emilius, Janet Emilius, Bill Poulakis and Julie Emilius; and his 16 grandchildren, Noel, Casey, Heather, Ashley, Jimmy, Jack, Joey, Luke, Georgia, Paul, Alisha, Alexis, Randy, Taylor, Sammy, Ethin, and Breena. He was deeply loved and will be greatly missed by all.
Paul was predeceased by his mother, Helen, and sister, Margaret.
A memorial gathering will be held Wednesday, April 6, at Goble Funeral Home, 22 Main St., Sparta, from 4-8 p.m., with a 6:30 p.m. Celebration of Life Service.
The family would like to ask that Paul be remembered by doing a good deed and cherishing your loved ones, as he did in life.