Paul Howard Stephenson, 87, of Tampa passed away Sunday March 8, 2026 at the Melech Hospice House in Temple Terrace, Florida. Born and raised in Buffalo, NY., Paul graduated from St. Joseph Collegiate Institute and later Niagara University, where he met his wife Virginia “Ginny” Stephenson. Preceded in death by his parents Howard and Delores Stephenson and wife Ginny; Paul is survived by his daughter Amy (Kevin), grandchildren Ashley and Preston, brother Thomas Stephenson, nieces and nephews Brock, David, Elizabeth, Cody and Lisa, sisters-in-law Susan and Kathy, and many other close family and friends.
Paul was a very highly analytical, intellectual, giving and loving person. He was optimistic, always looking for the better side of people, and never finding faults. He loved spending time with his grandchildren and family, playing crosswords, solving problems, engineering systems, and giving to others. His caring and optimistic spirit will be remembered by all who knew him. He was also a true and loyal sports fan of the Tampa Bay Rays, Buccaneers, Florida State Seminoles, and Buffalo Bills.
He had a career as a systems engineer for IBM. His life’s work took him to various places including Buffalo, Huntsville, and Tallahassee. In retirement he moved to Tampa to be close to his daughter’s family and grandchildren.
Paul was a veteran who served our country in the U.S. Army, National Guard and the U.S. Army Missile Support Command with NASA, from whom he received recognition for his efforts.
Paul’s family would like to express their thanks to all who cared for him as he battled cancer. The doctors, nurses, and staff at St. Joseph’s, Advent Health Tampa Hospitals, Palm Garden, home health assistants, and hospice allowed him to pass with dignity and with family by his side.
Per Paul’s wishes, there will be no formal service. A future private memorial will be held. He was always willing to help others (even the stranger) and possessed an innate ability to see the good in people, in honor of him please consider in lieu of flowers making a donation to or volunteering for a community cause of your choice.
Condolences
Dear Amy, Kevin, Ashley, and Preston
Please accept or deepest sympathies for your loss. Paul was such a wonderful individual and will be missed by all who knew him.
Paul was our Rays seatmate for many, many years. He was a best friend at all of the games for both Debbie and me along with all of our other friends that would attend a game with us. What a guy. He was so knowledgeable about Baseball and the Rays and any topic that came up in conversation over all those years we sat together. Whenever we tailgated before a game (we will miss him so on opening day this year) he was the elder statesman that all attending just loved. He was an individual that could do no wrong as far as all of our (and his) friends were concerned. Life gives you only a limited number of very best friends and Paul was certainly one of ours. May he rest in peace and continue to look over his Rays from up above.
Randy and Debbie Peirick