Paul Z Haus Jr.

It is with great sadness that we announce the passing of Paul Z. Haus, Jr. on October 30, 2024 at the age of 87. Paul was born on August 30, 1937 in New York City to the late Christine (nee Kinsman) and Dr. Paul Z. Haus. His father worked for many years as a dentist and his mother was a social worker. Paul spent most of his childhood in Chappaqua, NY. As a child he loved to tinker with things, always fascinated by how things worked. When he was a teenager, he built his very own homemade car using parts from a local junkyard and named it the Phoenix to symbolize rising from the ashes. It was even featured in the local newspaper. Paul graduated from Nichols College in Massachusetts in 1961 and served in the US Army from 1961-67, the first two years in Arlington, VA as part of the Signal Corps, a branch of the Army responsible for communications and information systems, followed by four years in the Reserves. He loved to talk about his time in the service and the people he served with from all walks of life who became cherished friends. His first job was at Bayside Timers in Queens, NY which gave him the opportunity to work on an electrical display for the 1964 World’s Fair in Flushing Meadows-Corona Park. Little did he know his future wife Colleen attended the fair one day with a friend and fellow teacher, but their paths did not cross until several years later when Paul and Colleen were introduced by mutual friends. Soon thereafter they began dating and were married in April 1968 in Geneva, NY. The couple settled in Teaneck, NJ and raised two daughters, Heather and Leigh. They also joined the First Presbyterian Church of Englewood, remaining members for well over 50 years. Paul was a devoted husband and father who thoroughly enjoyed spending time with family. Paul worked at Con Edison as a Senior Meter Specialist, commuting to NYC daily for 34 years. He made many lifelong friends during his years at Con Ed. One of his favorite parts of the job was going out into “the field” to various sub-stations to investigate and develop hands-on solutions to a wide variety of problems. At Con Ed, Paul received patents for inventions including a meter locking device developed to reduce meter tampering and electricity theft. A memorable story he loved to tell was when during the blizzard of ’96, he had to get a police escort across the snow-covered George Washington Bridge to take him to his post at the office of Emergency Management in NYC. Anyone who knew Paul knows he had a passion for antique cars and trains. From the moment he saw a model train around the Christmas tree as a young boy, he was hooked. His love for trains grew as he watched his father come home from work on the New York Central line. Later in life, especially in his retirement, one of his favorite pastimes was watching trains with fellow “rail fans.” He loved to share the story of when a conductor let him ride in the cab and blow the whistle. He was a member of the Bergen Rockland National Historical Railway Society and the Empire State Railway Museum in Phoenicia, NY. Paul also loved antique cars. In the 1980s he purchased a 1930 Model A Ford Sport Coupe from a childhood friend—the very same car that they used to drive for fun as teens. It brought Paul great joy to restore it, enter it into car shows, and put it in local parades. His daughters have wonderful memories of riding in the rumble seat and throwing candy to the crowd. Paul loved to offer visiting friends and family members a ride in the Model A, too. Over the years, he very much enjoyed his involvement with the North Jersey Regional A's chapter of the Model A Restorers Club. Like his father before him, one other hobby that Paul took up in his retirement was ham radio. He earned his ham radio license in his 70s and was active in the Chestnut Ridge Radio Club. He had lots of fun listening, talking with and meeting fellow “hams.” He also loved music, especially jazz, and enjoyed being out in nature. In recent years, he relished time spent sitting outside on his favorite bench in the backyard. Paul loved people and he was well loved by a wide circle of friends from every chapter of his life—from the Army to Con Ed to the many clubs he participated in. With his kind, humble and generous spirit, warm smile and great sense of humor, Paul made friends wherever he went. Paul leaves behind his beloved wife Colleen (nee Breitfeld) Haus, dear daughters Heather Scislowicz and Leigh Haus, devoted sons-in-law Larry Scislowicz and Lourenso Ramautar, and cherished grandchildren Luke, Kira and Emelie. He was a devoted husband, loving father and grandfather and a loyal friend. His memory will be treasured and his presence will be sorely missed. In lieu of flowers donations can be made in Paul’s memory to the Empire State Railway Museum or the First Presbyterian Church of Englewood. Visitation will be held on Sunday November 10, 2024 from 2pm-6pm, with a service at the funeral home at 3pm. Burial will be at Glenwood Cemetery in Geneva, NY Wednesday November 13, 2024 at 1pm.

Paul Z Haus Jr.

August 30, 1937 - October 30, 2024