Obituary: Paul V. Gadola Jr.

A mass is scheduled Wednesday, Jan. 7 in Flint for retired U.S. District Judge Paul V. Gadola Jr., who died Dec. 26 at the age of 85.

Gadola was appointed to the bench of the U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of Michigan in October, 1988 by President Ronald Reagan. He filled a seat vacated by Judge John Feikens who had assumed senior status.

Gadola retired from the bench in 2008.

“With the passing of Judge Paul Gadola, our court family has lost a dear friend and treasured colleague,” said U.S. District Chief Judge Gerald Rosen. “Paul was a devoted judge who loved his judicial service.”

Rosen said Gadola “possessed all of those traits that we admire in a judge: keen intellect and scholarship, fair-mindedness, even-temper and calm demeanor, patience, and compassion.”

“But beyond his work on our bench, he was a wonderfully warm colleague who was beloved by his many friends on our court,” Rosen said. “While we will miss Paul, we take some solace from the fact that he lived long enough to learn that his son, Michael, has been appointed to the Michigan Court of Appeals and will follow in the family tradition of judicial service begun by Paul’s father and continued by Paul’s brother and nephew. All of Paul’s colleagues join me sending his family our most heartfelt condolences during this difficult period.”

Gadola received his undergraduate degree from Michigan State University in 1951 and his law degree from the University of Michigan in 1953.

He was a lifelong and avid supporter of the Michigan State football team and the Spartan Marching Band.

Following graduation, Gadola served in the army for two years and was then in private practice in Genesee County from 1955 until he was appointed to the federal bench.

Prior to taking the bench, Gadola was very active in the Flint community and was a founding member of the American Civil Liberties Union of Greater Michigan, Flint Branch.

He was also an elected member of the board of trustees of Mott Community College and served as president of the Urban League of Flint.

Besides his son Michael, Gadola is survived by son Paul V. Gadola III, a sister and several grandchildren, nieces, nephews and cousins.

Visitation is scheduled from 6-8 p.m. Monday, Jan. 5 and 2-4 p.m. and 6-8 p.m. Tuesday, Jan. 6 at Dodds Dumanois Funeral Home and Cremation Center, 901 Garland, in Flint.

A mass will be held at 10 a.m. Wednesday, Jan. 7 at St. Matthew Catholic Church, 706 Beach St. in Flint.

Burial is scheduled at New Calvary Catholic Cemetery.

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