Paul Nelson Gnirke Jr.

Jun 29, 1938 -

Mar 16, 2021

Nelson was born in Arlington, Mass., on June 29, 1938. He moved to Phoenix at age 8. As a teen, he began working a paper route; putting himself through college on this paper route, he worked his way up to become a district manager, advising newspaper carriers, for $1.50 per hour. He had spent a summer working for the State of Arizona building a highway. Upon receiving his master's degree in civil engineering from Arizona State, he was recruited by the Federal Aviation Administration where he earned an incredible number of awards during his 42 years of service in California and Alaska. He was a lifetime member of the Anchorage Philatelic Society and worked with the Junior Stamp Club where he helped youngsters learn history, geography and many other topics through the study of stamps. He earned numerous awards for his personal stamp exhibits, locally and nationally. He loved to play bridge, go bowling and work in the yard, planting flowers, building paths and flower beds. He loved to watch the cardinals eating seeds in the snow, but mostly he loved walking his beloved Misty and Scooter dogs. He was preceded in death by his father, Paul N. Gnirke Sr.; mother, Virginia I. MacDonald; daughter, Serena Carlton; sister, Joan Tester; pets, Misty and Scooter. Survived by wife of 27 years of wedded bliss, Donna Gnirke; adopted son, David Gnirke; stepchildren, Art Johnson (Mickie), Pam Blaser (Chuck), Wayne Johnson, Abe Russ (Amber), Jonathan Russ, Alexis Bridges; brothers, Roger Gnirke (Susan), Roy Gnirke (Barbara Ann); sisters, Barbara Snyder (Ray), Diane Moulds (Jim); and eight grandchildren. Nelson was a kind, gentle, honest soul. He would swat at flies and mosquitoes, but rescue a cricket. He loved nature, reading and listening to music. His favorite song was "Yesterday When I Was Young" by Roy Clark. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to dementia/Alzheimer's foundations. Please visit www.rill.com for Nelson's online memorial and guest book.