Deceased August 30, 2019
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In Memory
Paul Coon passed away on Aug. 30. He came to Amherst from Deerfield Academy, joined Beta, roomed there with Don Cohan ’51, played soccer and frequently worked at Valentine. After two and a half years in the U.S. Army, he attended Connell University’s School of Hotel Administration in Ithaca, N.Y., and graduated in 1956. His first marriage produced two children but ended in divorce. In 1975 he married Maureen, a number of years his junior, and his surviving widow.
In 1975 a Cornell classmate recruited Paul to be general manager of the Holiday Inn South in Erie, Pa. Maureen, whom Paul had met years earlier, was already working there as director of sales. Paul and Maureen were fortunate to be able to work together for 10 years.
In 1988 Paul left hotel management and entered academia to teach hotel management courses at Mercyhurst College in Erie. He retired in 1992.
During his career, Paul was active in “Hospitality Associates,” a group of 150 Cornell grads, and served as president of the Erie (Pa.) Chamber of Commerce, president of the Kingston (N.Y.) YMCA and vice president of Cornell Society of Hotelmen, Virginia chapter.
In 1994 Maureen, still working but for a different outfit, was transferred to Newport News, Va. Paul loved living in Virginia. A devoted golfer, he organized a group of golfers to play distant courses, including trips to Florida.
Paul had fond memories of his time at Amherst but, like many of us, was not pleased with several decisions it made in the ’70s. In our 35th year reunion book, Paul ended, “So, onward we shall go, and a toast (scotch and water with a twist) to the ‘Dear little old lady who lives on a hill.’” Paul had a good trip.
Everett E. Clark ’51, with input from Maureen Coon