10/01/2026
There is some news that a president never wishes to share, and this is certainly the case here. With permission from the family, it is with profound sadness that I inform our community that Paul Deck, our dear colleague and Mailroom/Printshop Supervisor, passed away yesterday following complications from surgery. I, as I suspect all of you are also, am shocked to receive this news.
This loss is immeasurable not because of the role Paul held here but because of the person who Paul is. To say he embodied the spirit of Lake Erie College is an understatement. If we hadn’t seen Paul in the mailroom on any given day, we would most definitely see him in the stands that evening sporting his LEC hoodie labeled with whatever team he was rooting for. Paul always went above and beyond, even coming in almost daily on his winter break so he could look for year-end gifts and get them in the bank. The campus fondness for Paul was displayed in so many ways. This month, for example, he has received so many nominations for Employee of the Month from not only faculty and staff but students as well. Paul was loved by all.
His daughter Melissa, who supports him part-time in the mailroom, shared that since he became ill, he had not stopped thinking about or asking questions about the mailroom activity at Lake Erie College. All he could talk about was getting back to work. This is how much he cared for all of us.
In this difficult time, I ask you to care for one another in this same way. Please also know that should you need it, counseling and wellness are available through Family Pride on the first floor of the Garfield building. You can schedule appointments by calling 440-286-1553, e-mailing [email protected], or by visiting familyprideonline.org.
Please join me in sending them our deepest condolences to them during this very difficult time. We also invite you to post a photo with Paul, or write your favorite memory in the comments of this post.
- President Jennifer N. Schuller
