Paul Rishavy

Paul J. Rishavy, age 91 of Hugo, formerly of Newport and White Bear Lake, passed away Oct. 2, 2017.

Funeral Mass will be 11:00 am Friday, October 6, 2017 at St. Thomas Aquinas Catholic Church, 920 Holley Ave., St. Paul Park.  Visitation will be 4-8 pm, Thursday at Kok Funeral Home, 1201 Portland Ave., St. Paul Park and also one hour prior at church.  Interment at Ft. Snelling National Cemetery with military honors on Friday, October 13, 2017 at 10:15 am.

Paul J. Rishavy was born July 17, 1926 in Owatonna, Minnesota, the son of John and Elizabeth (Stoltman) Rishavy.  He graduated from St. Augustine High School in Austin, Minnesota in 1944.  He served his country in WWII, United States Army Air Corp, and was honorably discharged in 1946.  He was united in marriage to Patricia McNally on August 12, 1947.  The couple made their home in Newport where he was employed by Ashland Refinery.  Paul also served on the Newport Volunteer Fire Department where he held the rank of Chief for many years.  He was also the Fire Brigade Training Officer for Ashland Refinery for 20 years and helped to build their fire training ground which is used by many area fire departments.  He was a member of the St. Thomas Aquinas Catholic Church, the VFW Post #1782, the American Legion Post #6020, the Teamsters Local #120 and also a member of the Friday Memorial Rifle Squad at Ft. Snelling National Cemetery.  This same squad will provide military honors at his burial.

Paul is survived by his loving wife, Patricia Zentzis-Rishavy of Hugo; children Michael (Pat) Rishavy, Carol (Mark) Ponsolle, Robert (Sue) Rishavy, Ann (Jim) Sullivan; grandchildren Becky, Jacob, Matthew, Kristen, Katie, Brian, Jennifer and Andrew; 6 great-grandchildren; brother John (Jeanine) along with many nieces and nephews.  Preceded in death by first wife Patricia and brothers, Richard and Jerome.