Paul A. Zelem, 62
July 19, 2024
Paul A. Zelem, 62, of Elizabethtown PA, passed away at Hershey Medical Center on July 19, 2024.

He was the husband of Jennifer J. Ryan, with whom he would have shared 5 years of marriage this coming September 28th. Born in Bayshore, Long Island, NY,

Paul was the son of the late Daniel D. Zelem Sr. and Anna V. Gambino Zelem. Paul was retired many years from Good Samaritan Hospital in Lebanon, where he worked in IT for 15 years. He was an avid reader, loved to travel and had a special fondness for the Adirondacks and the Catskills. Paul loved history; he was always trying to learn and grow as a person. He enjoyed politics, cows, cooking, spending time with family and good friends.

He was known for having a side-splitting sense of humor. Paul grew up in West Sayville, on Long Island, where he spent many summers with his best friends at the West Dock, in West Sayville. He was an exceptional athlete, and was well-known, at Sayville High, for his prowess on the football field. He often spoke of the brotherhood he developed with his teammates and the principles he learned there which shaped his life.

Paul had a deep and abiding faith in Jesus Christ, in which he would meditate often. In addition to his wife, Jennifer, he is survived by his much-loved daughter: Christine E. Zelem of Myerstown, his two stepchildren: Matthew Peterka of Royersford and Grace Peterka of Elizabethtown; his siblings: Daniel D. Zelem Jr. married to Nancy Zelem of Rexford, NY, Dianne Skilling of Lititz, and Patricia Mitchell of West Sayville, NY; his half-sister, Barbara Fisher of Manhattan, NY, and by several nieces and nephews.

He also was survived by his adored dog, Penny, whom he loved very much.

He was preceded in death by a nephew, Wm. Michael Skilling.

Services will be private and at the convenience of the family, with burial in Long Island. To pay respects to Paul, in lieu of flowers, please donate to Penny’s rescue, CPAA-Central Pennsylvania Animal Alliance at https://centralpaanimalalliance.org/CPAA-Donation-Page. Obituary prepared and courtesy of family and Charles F. Snyder Funeral Home & Crematory.