Francis "Paul" Mita, Jr. passed away peacefully with family by his side on Sunday, January 11th at his home in Vero Beach, FL.

Paul was born at Abington Memorial Hospital to Marie Murphy Mita and Frank Paul Mita on November 30, 1933. He spent an adventurous childhood in Bala Cynwyd, PA and Ocean City, NJ with his brother Jack and best friend Jim Flanigan. Paul attended Malvern Prep where he occasionally studied and mostly played a variety of sports. He then attended LaSalle College where he was on the track and field team and part of a relay team that still holds a World Record for the 4 x 120 high hurdles.

He was a lifeguard in Ocean City where he became known for his love of unusual dance moves and cartwheels down the stairs. These acrobatics caught the attention of Elizabeth (Lil) Hartley who became his wife for nearly 70 years.

Paul attended Drexel University for his MBA which led to a job at GE where he was the business manager for a program that was the start of the United States Satellite Program and eventually NASA. After that, he followed his entrepreneurial dreams and purchased The Leathercraft Company in Conshohocken, PA. He was very successful and able to retire early to spend his later years with his large family and many friends.

He had many diverse interests later in life including skiing, kayaking, biking, boat restoration, and trying his hand as a stand-up comedian and harmonica player on the Ocean City boardwalk for anyone who would listen.

Paul is survived by his wife Lil, children Frank (Lisa), Roy (Esther), Liz (Donnie), and Pauline (Brady) along with his grandchildren Colleen, Paul (Chelsea), Charlie, RJ, Georgie, Ilena, and Billy, and his great-granddaughter Kenny. He is predeceased by his daughter Michelle (Dave) and brother Jack.

The service will be held at St. John Vianney Church in Gladwyne, PA on Friday, January 16th. Visitation will be from 9:00-10:45am followed by a Funeral Mass at 11am.  Interment will be private.

The Funeral Mass will be available on livestream via the St. John Vianney Parish website.

In lieu of flowers, please make a donation to:

One Case (GBS/CIPD Research)

General Donation Page-GBS│CIDP Foundation International: Donate

375 Elm St, Suite 101

Conshohocken, PA 19428