Paul Joseph Angelis passed away peacefully on December 3, 2025 at the age of 84.

As Paul often said, PA are not only his initials, they are where he was born (Scranton, PA) in 1941 to Edward Marin Angelis and Julia Rose Corti.

The PA comment reflects Paul’s love of language, his often groan-worthy puns, and one of the most important roles in his life–that of father and grandfather. Paul shared with his family all of the many aspects that made him the person that he was--his love of learning, language, and sports, his love of all things Italian, his appreciation for travel and cooking and fine dining, and his keen sense of what faith should be.

After graduating from the University of Scranton in 1962, Paul was awarded a fellowship to the newly opened School of Languages and Linguistics at Georgetown University. While working on his PhD at Georgetown, Paul met Jane, whom he married in 1965.

Paul’s love for languages translated into a passion for travel as well, one he shared with his family. In the summer of 1970, Paul and Jane camped in France, Spain, Italy, Germany, Austria, and England with their daughter, Lisa (4) and son, Tony (2). Son Joe later enjoyed many travel adventures with Paul to Europe, Asia and the Middle East, Australia, and New Zealand.

Paul’s work brought him and his family to many places. They lived in Canada, Italy, Texas, New Jersey, and finally Illinois where Paul was the head of the Linguistics Department at Southern Illinois University.

After his retirement in 2004, Paul continued to travel and learn and teach. He earned a Master’s in Theology from the Aquinas Institute in St. Louis, served as chaplain at a local hospital, traveled to Rome to teach with his dear friend Luigi in a month-long study abroad program for the University of Delaware, with sons Joe and Tony joining him on some of the trips.

For those who knew him, it is not only his achievements that we will remember. We will remember his profound love for his family and immense pride and joy in his grandchildren, his uncanny ability to shed tears at so many scenes in films, programs, books, and music, and that he was a sports superfan, especially of the Gonzaga Bulldogs, Washington Commanders, and Washington Nationals. Of course, we will remember his passion for all things Italian, which included taking his granddaughter Emma to Italy to introduce her to the country he loved so much, and his enjoyment of fine dining and cooking for his family, including the tradition of making ravioli at Christmas that he passed on to all of his children and grandchildren.

He is survived by his wife, Jane; children: Lisa (Bob) Wathen, Tony (Jenn) Angelis, and Joe (Fionna) Angelis; four grandchildren: Emma, Erin, Charlie, and Daphne; and his sister, Joan (Hal), and brother, Carl;

Paul was preceded in death by his sister, Jean.

The family wishes to thank Brighton and Horizon hospices and Lumia Assisted Living for their kind and compassionate care.