Paul A. McNickle

Paul A. McNickle, father, grandfather and WWII Flyboy, passed away on April 29, 2010. He was born in 1920, raised in Indiana, and graduated from Muncie High School with an Industrial Certificate in Electricity. He worked as a machinist in a Cleveland aircraft parts plant until he was drafted in 1943. During the war, S/SGT McNickle served as a Crew Chief on a B-24 Liberator Bomber, with the 8th Army Air Force. He became a P O W, when his plane was shot down over Germany. After the war, he returned to Cleveland and worked in the aircraft manufacturing industry, earned his pilots license, and married Dorothy, his wife of 53 years. In 1976, the McNickles moved to El Paso with daughter Margaret. Douglas, their son stayed in Ohio and married Anna. Paul developed a delivery service in El Paso and became active with the Paso del Norte Streetcar Preservation Society. He was always supportive of his family, friends, and church. He served as a Docent with the Railroad & Transportation Museum of El Paso for 9 years. He was the museum expert on light rail rapid transit systems, and received the award for Museum Staff Volunteer in 2007. Museum visitors enjoyed his talks and great sense of humor. In 2008 he received the Mayor’s Award to the Senior Citizen Hall of Fame for his years of volunteer service to the community. In April his friends celebrated his 90th birthday at the Museum. He is survived by son Douglas and wife Anna; grandson Bryan and wife Rachel; and daughter Margaret McNickle of Houston. A memorial service will be held at Faith United Methodist Church on Saturday, May 22, 2010 at 11:00 am, at 3500 Pershing. The family has requested that in lieu of flowers, memorial contributions can be made to the Railroad Museum. Services entrusted to Sunset Funeral Homes-Northeast. Please visit on-line register at www.sunsetfuneralhomes.net