Paul J. Estock

Paul Joseph Estock, 78, passed away at Shadyside Hospital on May 9, surrounded by love, after courageously fighting his last of many battles with cancer throughout his life.

Paul was born on April 27, 1948, in Sharon, a son of George and Dorothy (Harnadek) Estock. He graduated from Hickory High School in 1966, where he played football, and graduated from Penn State University with a degree in elementary education in 1970. He married the love of his life, soulmate, and best friend, Patti Estock (Roach), on October 30, 1971.

Paul was a sixth-grade teacher at Delahunty Middle School for 38 years. He taught all subjects, but especially loved teaching math and computers. Paul helped establish the school’s weeklong field trip to McKeever Environmental Learning Center and continued to serve as a dedicated chef at the annual pancake breakfast fundraiser for the trip - even after his retirement in 2009. He served as Chief Negotiator for the Teachers’ Union and made many lifelong friendships during his career. He was head of the Hermitage Junior Girls Softball League and coached the team Martuccio’s Paving, for which his 3 daughters played, for many years.

Paul was a Master Sergeant in the U.S. Army Reserves for 26 years. He was stationed in Farrell, PA, and was deployed numerous times throughout his career, most notably to the Middle East for over 8 months during Operations Desert Shield and Desert Storm. He received multiple honors and awards during his service, including a Bronze Star and multiple Army Commendation and Achievement Medals.

Paul was many things to many people, but most importantly, he was the best husband, dad, and pap/papa anyone could ask for. He enjoyed watching his kids and grandkids participate in all of their activities, especially sports, and loved cheering for Penn State, the Steelers, and most of all, the Penguins. He loved birdwatching, traveling, cutting the grass, the color yellow, and cooking for his family – especially traditional Slovak and other hearty dishes. He was a man of strong faith and a member of the Church of the Good Shepherd in West Middlesex.

Paul is survived by his wife, Patti; their children, Brian Estock of Wheatland; Jamie Estock of Pittsburgh; Maggie Ference and her husband Shawn of Hermitage; Nicole Bechtold and her husband Peter of Sewickley; his grandchildren, Luke and Ellie Ference, Hailey Estock, and Anderson and Sophie Bechtold; his sibling, Marita Dye; and multiple brother and sister in-laws, nieces, nephews, and close friends.

Paul is preceded in death by his parents, sister Bonnie Mikulin-Walsh, and many other close relatives and friends, who no doubt welcomed him with open arms and a hot tea with 2% milk and two Splendas.

In lieu of flowers, the family is asking that donations be made in Paul's memory to the Leukemia Research Foundation (https://leukemiarf.org).

Calling hours will be 4 to 8 p.m. on Thursday (05/14/2026) in J. Bradley McGonigle Funeral Home and Crematory, Inc., 1090 East State St., Sharon. 

Mass of Christian Burial will be at 11 a.m. Friday (05/15/2026) in the Church of the Good Shepherd, 3613 Sharon Rd., West Middlesex, PA, with Rev. Glenn Whitman, pastor as celebrant.