Paul Sweeney

Paul Warren Sweeney died Wednesday, April 4, 2012 at the age of 90. Before being overtaken by Alzheimer's he lived a full, rewarding life. Born in Freeport, PA, on September 5, 1921, Paul graduated from New Kensington High School and then worked for Alcoa Aluminum, and later the U.S. Patent Office. He enrolled at the University of Pittsburg and completed one year before deciding to enlist in the Navy. During basic training in Washington, D.C., he met the love of his life, Jimmie Quinn. He only knew her 3 months before marrying her and "shipping out" for two years. Despite the doubts of others, the marriage lasted 58 years. Paul served two years in the Pacific Theater and was made Chief Petty Officer. When Paul's service time ended, he enrolled in Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute and graduated with a degree in Architectural Engineering. After college, he moved to Indianapolis, IN where his parents lived. He got a job with Geupel-DeMars, then Jo Hoffman Construction. In 1959 he founded his own construction firm, Sweeney Construction Corp., which specialized in underground utilities. Paul pioneered several techniques in his field. He was the first to use lasers and the first to do horizontal trenchless tunneling in Indiana. He served on the board of the National Utility Contractors Association for many years and lobbied for the construction industry. In 1971 he was asked to be part of an OSHA (Occupational Safety and Health Administration) team writing the rules for safety regulations of Horizontal Directional Drilling. During the heart of his working career, he participated in many civic and community organizations. He was an active member of Meridian Street Methodist Church, the Scottish Rite, the Athaneum Turners, the Masons and the Shriners. Having formed a love of boating in the Navy, he was one of the founders of the Indianapolis Sailing Club and served as Commodore in 1967. Paul took numerous trips with the Cruising Club throughout the Caribbean. He was also a member of the Economics Club, the Contemporary Club, and did stints on the 500 Festival Princess Committee. He was President of Floral Park Association. He and his wife retired to Southport, North Carolina in 1982. There he started new businesses chartering cruises on the Inter-coastal Waterway and doing property development. He sold those businesses and started Admiral Holdings, a commercial leasing company, which continues to operate. In Southport he became very interested in the history of the area. He was the President of the Southport Historical Society. He served a term as a City Alderman, raised money for the Brunswick Theater, worked several years on North Carolina State Annual Fourth of July Celebration in Southport, helped out at Trinity Methodist Church, participated in Rotary Club and the Coast Guard Auxiliary. He always had many hobbies and interests. Besides sailing, he liked to skeet-shoot, fish, dance, do woodworking, make jewelry, track weather, and maintain crab pots. Paul was preceded in death by wife Jimmie Quinn Sweeney, brother Phillip Sweeney, and parents, Phillip and Carrie (McLaughlin) Sweeney. Paul is survived by his two daughters Judith Lieberman (Bob), Jane Quinn Sweeney Henderson (Bill), and three grandchildren, Julia and David Lieberman and Corbin Henderson. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to the Nature Conservancy, the Southport Maritime Museum, or the Community Boys and Girls Club of Wilmington, Southport Location. Whether rain gauges or hand made desks or fishing nets, Paul left behind many reminders of a rich life. He will be missed. A celebration will be held at 5:00 pm Sunday September 23, 2012 at the Southport Community Center. You are invited to go to the Guest Book page to pass along your personal message or tell a story. Sincerely, Jane Quinn And Judith -Your friends at Flanner and Buchanan