FUNERAL HOME

IJ Morris at Star of David Cemetery of the Palm Beaches

9321 Memorial Park Road

West Palm Beach, Florida

Paul Gelb Obituary

Published by Legacy Remembers on Mar. 31, 2013.

Paul Gelb of Palm Beach Gardens passed away on March 30, 2013. Paul was born in Budapest, Hungary on the high holy day of Yom Kippur, September 14, 1937 to Elizabeth Fricher Gelb and Lejos Gelb. He was one of the youngest survivors of the Holocaust.
Paul attended the Budapest Real Gymnasium in 1955 and graduated from Innsbrook High School in Austria in 1957. He received in B.S. degree in Business and Education in 1961, and his Masters in Sports Science and Education in 1962 from the University of Vienna, Austria. He was a doctoral candidate in the faculty of philosophy in 1962-1963 and also graduated from the Culinary Institute of Vienna in Graz and had his internship for the Master of Culinary Art at Linz in 1963.
While attending school Paul wrestled for the PAL in Hungary and was a competitor in many countries throughout Europe. He was an Olympian in the 1960 Olympics in Rome. He won multiple Hungarian and Austrian championships. He was named best European World Wrestler in the Bantam Weight division. He was also named champion of champions from the World Wrestling Federation in 1962.
In 1963, Paul emigrated to the United States with only $38.00. From 1963-1970 he took a job at Montclair Community Hospital in New Jersey as a cook, while learning English. Through 1970-1975, Paul worked for a congregate feeding site for the elderly in Elizabeth, New Jersey, and was instrumental in establishing the first Meals on Wheels program in the United States and became its first director at that time.
From 1976-1978, he worked as a Food Service Director at St. Elizabeth Hospital in Elizabeth, New Jersey. At that time, he was named president of the Food Service Directors Association in New Jersey. From 1978-1983, Paul was the Food Service Director at St. Peter's Hospital in New Brunswick, New Jersey. All during the time was employed, he also owned his own catering business called PG Food Management in which he contracted with the United States government for many congregate feeding sites for the elderly. After recovery from bypass surgery, Paul moved to Florida in 1986. He took another Food Service Director job for Humana Hospital West Palm Beach until 1990.
In 1989, Paul founded and coached the Kicks Youth Soccer Club in Palm Beach Gardens, which he ran from that time until 2002. His first team was organized from the kids that attended the after school program, The Kids Place, that he founded and ran with his wife Patricia. With the teams, he won multiple state championships, and was the team winner in the 1996 Youth USA World Cup. In 1999, Paul was the recipient of Coach of the Year by the Florida Youth Sports Association. He coached for the Suncoast High School in Riviera Beach, from 1994-1996, and was named Coach of the Year from the Florida High School Athletics Association in 1996. In 1998, Paul was able to lead his team to win the FIFA Fair Play Award and also win the Region III South National Championship in US Youth Soccer. He also led his team in winning international championships. Through tournaments and scrimmages, his teams were able to play and defeat youth teams from Russia, Germany, Mexico, Guatemala, New Zealand, and Brazil. He retired from coaching in the 2002-2003 soccer season, after helping his son, David, and many of his players receive college scholarships.
Paul will always be remembered as an active community leader, the one to go to, the man in charge, the boss, and head coach. Paul loved food, sports, and most of all his family. Surviving him are his wife, Patricia, son David and his wife Annick, and cousins Ronnie, Sandra, and Yvette, as well as many other extended family members.
Services 12 noon Thursday, April 4th at Star of David Cemetery and Funeral Chapel of the Palm Beaches, 9321 Memorial Park Road, West Palm Beach, Fl 561-627-2277. Donations amy be made to your Favorite Charity. The Gelb Family will be receiving friends at the Gelb residence, 4604 Square Lake Drive, Palm Beach Gardens immediately following the service on Thursday.

To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.

Memories and Condolences
for Paul Gelb

What is your first memory of Paul?

Share a favorite memory you have of Paul.

Tell us about a special moment you shared with Paul.

Describe a time when Paul made you laugh or smile.

What is something you will always remember about Paul?

Talk about a shared experience you had with Paul.

What is something you did together that you enjoyed?

Describe a place or activity that reminds you of Paul.

Tell us about a personal story or anecdote involving Paul.

What is something you learned from Paul?

Not sure what to say?

September 16, 2013

Pat and David, I just last night heard of Paul's passing. I am so very sorry. Paul had an immense impact on many lives. He was a wonderful person with a heart of gold and will be greatly missed. He was a part of a lot of my son Jimmy's best memories over the years and his love for soccer. Our community along with his family has suffered a great loss.
Karen Warino

April 17, 2013

Monica Simpson

Paul was a selfless man who gave to others freely. It was an honor to know him.

April 11, 2013

Rahul Aggarwal

It was an honor and a pleasure to know such a charismatic and kind gentleman as Mr. Paul Gelb; larger than life and a fighter through all the trials and tribulations that life through at him. You will be missed, my friend.

April 10, 2013

Mrs. Gelb & David,
I will always remember the positive impact Paul had on the students of Suncoast. I know you have wonderful memories as well. God bless you both during this difficult time.

Sincerely,
Kay Carnes

April 4, 2013

Daniel Eggertsson

Paul,
Thanks for so many great memories on and off the soccer field. You were such a special person that touched so many people. I have never, and probably will never meet anyone quite like you ever again.

April 4, 2013

Harvey

It was nice to meet you and know you. I will not forget you. Rest well Paul. My prayers are with Pat and David.

April 4, 2013

Gary Woodfield

While you meet many people in life, very few are special. Paul was special. The lives of my son and many others are better for having the opportunity to know him.

April 4, 2013

Justin Roemer

Paul Gelb will certainly be missed. He was a great coach but an even better friend and mentor. He was one of the few coaches I have had that actually cared for every single one of his players.

I have many fond memories of traveling to soccer tournaments around the country with Paul, Pat and David. It wasn't just the soccer with Paul; he
employed the sport as a way of creating one large, strong family. At any given time, you could find multiple players -- myself included -- living at his house, getting ready for practice. Whether it was playing keeper or throwing a shot put, Paul always pushed me to be my best.

It is with great sadness that we say goodbye to Paul but he will always be remembered for his generosity, his friendship and his endearing spirit. My sympathies are with Pat and David. He was a great man and will be forever
missed.

Justin Roemer

April 3, 2013

My condolences to Pat and David.
We will all miss Paul, he was very special.
Dr Breuer

April 3, 2013

Peck

Our prayers are with Pat, David, & Annick.
RIP Paul

April 1, 2013

James Rosier

Paul we will TRULY miss you from the many lovely players that you coached and basically raised from when we were youths. You took us in as your own kids and only wanted to see the best in us, seeing that we didn't have it all but you seen talent in us in the sport you coached and the sport we all loved. You inspired many of us youth to become better than the best and your wife patricia cared for us as if we were her child as well. You will not be here but we know you are in a better place. May god bless what you've done for us and everyone around us.

Truly, James Rosier, Richardson Fils, Kevin Dorcinvil, Ymeric Shannon, Jeremy Isaacs, Peterson Rosier, Thiersy St. Rosier.

April 1, 2013

Yvette Loeffler

We love you very much Pali!! We will really miss you. Always good times and awesome memories. Love Yvette and Andrew

Showing 1 - 12 of 12 results

Make a Donation
in Paul Gelb's name

Memorial Events
for Paul Gelb

To offer your sympathy during this difficult time, you can now have memorial trees planted in a National Forest in memory of your loved one.

Funeral services provided by:

IJ Morris at Star of David Cemetery of the Palm Beaches

9321 Memorial Park Road, West Palm Beach, FL 33412

How to support Paul's loved ones
Commemorate a cherished Veteran with a special tribute of Taps at the National WWI Memorial in Washington, D.C.

The nightly ceremony in Washington, D.C. will be dedicated in honor of your loved one on the day of your choosing.

Read more
Attending a Funeral: What to Know

You have funeral questions, we have answers.

Read more
Should I Send Sympathy Flowers?

What kind of arrangement is appropriate, where should you send it, and when should you send an alternative?

Read more
What Should I Write in a Sympathy Card?

We'll help you find the right words to comfort your family member or loved one during this difficult time.

Read more
Resources to help you cope with loss
How to Write an Obituary

Need help writing an obituary? Here's a step-by-step guide...

Read more
Estate Settlement Guide

If you’re in charge of handling the affairs for a recently deceased loved one, this guide offers a helpful checklist.

Read more
Obituaries, grief & privacy: Legacy’s news editor on NPR podcast

Legacy's Linnea Crowther discusses how families talk about causes of death in the obituaries they write.

Read more
The Five Stages of Grief

They're not a map to follow, but simply a description of what people commonly feel.

Read more
Ways to honor Paul Gelb's life and legacy
How to Write an Obituary

Need help writing an obituary? Here's a step-by-step guide...

Read more
Obituary Templates

These free blank templates make writing an obituary faster and easier.

Read more
Obituary Examples

You may find these well-written obituary examples helpful as you write about your own family.

Read more
How Do I Write a Eulogy?

Some basic help and starters when you have to write a tribute to someone you love.

Read more