James Robert DePaul

Youngstown - James Robert DePaul, 45, of Poland, died Sunday March 8, 2009 at his residence surrounded by his family after a courageous battle with kidney cancer. Jim was born May 21, 1963 in Youngstown, a son of James and Rose Zangara DePaul. He was a lifelong resident of Poland. He was a 1981 graduate of Poland Seminary High School. From the age of 18, Jim worked for United Van Lines first as a driver onto owner/operator then a dispatcher until 2005. Most recently, he was co-owner of North Star Storage and Warehousing in Poland. While in high school, he was honored as the 1st Team All Mahoning Valley Conference Defensive Tackle for the 1980 football season. Recently, he was recognized at the Poland football stadium for being part of the 1978 Mahoning Valley Conference Championship Team. Jim shared his love for the game by volunteering his time as a coach for the Poland Little Bulldogs. Jim's greatest joys were his children, Marlo and Jordan. He will be sadly missed and remembered by his family and friends for his quick wit and extraordinary sense of humor. His hobbies included landscaping, riding his Harley-Davidson, and vacationing with family and friends. He leaves his wife, the former Sheryl Malloy, whom he married April 26, 1986; his son, Jordan, at home; daughter, Marlo, also at home; two sisters, Margaret DePaul and Jaimie (Michael) Cleland, both of Poland; two fathers-in-law, William Malloy Sr. of Youngstown and Paul Menichini of Lowellville; three sister-in-laws, Patty (Randy) Columbo of Poland, Donna Bigley of Struthers, and Darlene (Chip) Bianconi of Poland; a brother-in-law, Bill (Donna) Malloy of New Middletown; and many aunts, uncles, cousins, nieces, nephews, and many, many remarkable friends. Besides his parents, he was preceded in death by his mother-in-law, Carol Menichini; and his brother-in-law, Kenny Bigley. Funeral services will be held Wednesday at 10 a.m. at St. Paul the Apostle Catholic Church with Fr. Nicholas Shori officiating. Interment will follow at the Poland Riverside Cemetery. Family and friends will be received Tuesday from 5- 8p.m. at the Cunningham-Becker Funeral Home in Poland and Wednesday from 9-9:45 a.m. at the church prior to the service. The family requests that memorial tributes take the form of contributions in Jim's name to Hospice of the Valley, 5190 Market St., Boardman, Ohio 44512 or to the Kidney Cancer Association, PO Box 3516, Oakbrook, IL 60522. Please visit www.beckerobits.com to send condolences.

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