Paul "Papa" Braun

Paul "Papa" Braun, 74, of Pine Knoll Shores, North Carolina, passed away on Wednesday, February 15, 2023, at Carteret Health Care in Morehead City, NC.

Paul was born on December 7, 1948, in Yonkers, New York, to the late Jurgen Jansen Braun and Edna Louise Scheller Masters. He spent his childhood in Yonkers until the family relocated to LaGrangeville, NY in 1965.  Paul Graduated from Arlington High School in 1966.  Upon graduating from high school, Paul was employed by AT&T as a lineman for 2 years, then honorably served in the United States Army. He was stationed in South Korea, where he met the love of his life, Suk Yong (So), were married, and returned home in 1970. During their 53 years of marriage, they raised one daughter known as #1 (Elizabeth Avon) and over the years two of Liz’ best friends “sisters” have been given honorary numbers. Cynthia Cuccia-Montagnino is #1-½ and Jane Gillian Morrow is #2.  Paul’s family was his life.  He enjoyed participating in all of his daughter’s and friend’s activities. He found himself becoming an intense softball coach and an excellent umpire, who was always fair and never wavering.  Paul worked for IBM East Fishkill for many years as a Field Engineer.  After surviving what was his second heart attack, Paul realized that status no longer mattered as much as a less stressful and more meaningful life with his family did.  He made the choice to walk away from it and became a Correctional Officer.  Paul proudly retired after 22 years working for Green Haven Correctional Facility, a maximum security prison in Upstate New York.  This was a perfect fit for his personality and military training.

With a strong German upbringing, Paul was a determined man who knew his mind and wasn’t afraid to speak it. In jest, his favorite sayings included, “This is an AB Conversation, C your way out” or “STBY” (sucks to be you). A rugged outdoor man, he enjoyed the thrill of a good fishing trip and the adventure of time spent in the woods hunting. Paul had amazing handyman skills and loved to collect items with his favorite “partner in crime”, Cousin Carl Siebert, that they or someone else just might get to use one day. The accumulation of numerous items led to their inevitable joint nickname, “Sanford and Son”. While the outdoors was his favorite place, he certainly didn’t mind being in the kitchen where he loved cooking amazing meals for his friends and family. Paul didn’t know how to serve small numbers, and always had an open door with a “more the merrier” attitude.  No one would go hungry with him around.  No matter what he was doing you could be assured that he’d be listening to golden oldies and tapping his feet to a good tune, many times while tinkering or enjoying a good ‘ol game of solitaire.  Paul was a man of prayer and faith, a member of All Saints Lutheran Church in Billings, NY where he served as president of the church council.

More than anything though, Paul will be remembered by his family as a loving husband, supportive father and a proud fun-loving grandfather who always enjoyed a good joke, prank, and more importantly his quick wit and sarcasm. He believed in instilling good ol fashion values in his grandchildren and was always present and accountable.  He is preceded in death by his Parents Jurgen Jansen Braun and Edna Louise Masters, and two sisters, Barbara E. Scott, and Edna Louise Roth.  Paul is survived by his wife, Suk Yong Braun of the home; daughter, Elizabeth Avon and husband William of Morehead City; sisters, Carylon Patterson of Sebring, FL, Judy Michaels and husband Robert of Lagrangeville, NY, and brother, Jerry Masters of Lagrangeville, NY, Margaret Diehl and husband Sam of Poughkeepsie, NY; and his three grandchildren, Chloe, Zachary, and Danica.

His memorial service, with military honors, will be held at 11 a.m., Saturday, February 25th, at First Methodist Church in Morehead City.  Following the service, there will be a reception at Southern Salt, where the family will receive friends and relatives.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests that memorials be made to St. Jude Children's Research Hospital, in memory of Paul Braun, 501 St. Jude Place, Memphis, TN 38105.

Family and friends are welcome to submit online condolences at www.mundenfuneralhome.net

Arrangements by Munden Funeral Home & Crematory in Morehead City, NC.