Paul T. Railsback, age 77 of Shaler Township by way of Buffalo NY, died on Monday, October 16 th , 2023. Paul was born in Buffalo NY to the late J. Edward & Florence (Sanders) Railsback, younger brother to Dale. When he was 20, he enlisted into the US Navy, where he served 4 years, 2 on the aircraft carrier USS Essex. After his service, he attended the University of Buffalo where he completed his BA in Chemistry.

Shortly after his discharge from the Navy in 1969, he met Carol Ziolkowski, and after that they never left each other's side. They were married in 1971, and in 1983 Paul, now a chemist specializing in coatings and composites, started a new job in Pittsburgh, where they have lived ever since.

A true product of the Great Lakes region, Paul was a fan of the Buffalo Sabres and passed his love of hockey on to both of his children and loved them—despite their preference for the Pittsburgh Penguins. Let it be known, Paul never gave up on the Buffalo Bills, even after those painful Super Bowl losses in 1991, 1992, 1993, and 1994.

A proud Grampa, Paul never missed a performance his grandchildren were in from primary school to college, driving from Pittsburgh to Greensburg to Johnstown to be sure he was there.

Always a casual birder, his interest in the hobby intensified after he retired, and the house was soon surrounded by various feeders. He and Carol would regularly drive to North Park to look for the Bald Eagles and other avian species to add to his life list.

In addition to Carol, his wife of 52 years, Paul leaves behind two grown children and their spouses, Heather & Christopher Chirdon, and Jeffrey Railsback & Amelia Wagner, and grandchildren Chris & Ethan Chirdon, and Chris' wife Katelyn Baratka, all of whom he loved dearly, as well as his older brother Dale and his wife Peggy (Zolnowski), and in-laws who were lifelong friends, including, but definitely not limited to Earl and the late Christine (Ziolkowski) Fitzner, Geraldine (Ziolkowski) and the late John Gill, Bob and the late Mary Ann (Binkowski), as well as a combined dozen nieces and nephews and too many others to count.

He requested a quick and private burial, but the family is planning a memorial for when the weather is warmer and will release those details when they are available.

In lieu of flowers, please send donations to the Audubon Society of Western Pennsylvania, 614 Dorseyville Rd, Pittsburgh PA 15238.