Paul Francis Seday

Paul Francis Seday, 89, of Gurnee passed away on July 6th, 2024, while under hospice care at Advocate Condell Medical Center. He was surrounded by his loving family, and granddaughter Sophia was able to bring Winston, his faithful mutt, in for a visit and a final smile.

Paul (Sonny) was born in November 1934, in Waukegan, Illinois to the late A. Paul and Bessie (Lambersky) Seday.  He and his older sister Ann Jean Seday helped their parents maintain the family farm on McAree Road.  Bessie had two sisters who also raised their families in Lake County.  Paul was very close to his cousin Ed Lesnak and they helped each other grow as young men, tackling life's challenges and enjoying life. Big smiles on Paul (Ames hat) and Ed while fishing from Ed's boat on Lake Michigan attest their close friendship.

Paul attended Spaulding Grade School and Waukegan High School before joining the United States Air Force where he proudly served as a radio operator on many aircraft and on Kwajalein Island while on active duty during 1952 - 56. While stationed at Biggs AFB, his buddy arranged a blind date for him with Joyce Hall, a nursing student, at Hotel Eieu in El Paso Texas. He and Joyce married in December 1956, and started their family. Early on, he settled his new family in Waukegan, where he built his family a home on McAree Road.

Paul was a local and long standing businessman who learned all the technical skills needed to service residential and commercial refrigeration and air conditioning systems from another local businessman, Art Ames. Paul learned from Art the importance of dependable customer service, and when Art was ready to retire Paul was ready to run the business.  His customers knew they could depend on him for help day and night to restore systems that they depended on for their livelihood. Many became good friends. His operation of Ames Refrigeration allowed him to build a home in Gurnee for his family. When his children graduated HS, he and Joyce parted ways.  

He enjoyed being a boy scout and became a leader in Troop 51 while his sons were boy scouts.  He built the troops camping supply trailer and a sled that accommodated a half dozen scouts and was pulled by the troop truck around Camp Okaro during winter camp outs. He enjoyed hunting, fishing, wood-working, and cross country road trips with his family between Waukegan and Deming, New Mexico.

Paul and Gala Herner, who he knew since Spaulding GS, rekindled their relationship and turned it into a loving partnership that they cherished for over 40 of the best years of their lives.  They were able to retire together, and spent winters in Florida enjoying the beach, boating, and visits from their combined family until her passing in 2021. In his spare time, Paul volunteered as a driver for veterans through the VA.

Paul, called Pops or Poppy by his close family, is survived by his 9 children, 14 grandchildren and 12 great grandchildren.

A graveside service and interment is planned for July 12th at Ascension Catholic Cemetery in Libertyville, Illinois. In lieu of flowers, donations to Catholic Charities of Lake County

671 S. LEWIS AVE.

Waukegan IL 60085

For meals on wheels that brought Paul meals, client id: 4208245,

 would be appreciated.

Arrangements entrusted to Sambrano Funeral & Cremation, Gurnee, IL. Please sign the online guestbook at LauraSambranoFunerals.com; 847-571-7719.

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