Paul F. Mihalak Jr.

Paul F. Mihalak Jr. passed away peacefully, surrounded by his family, on May 1st, 2024, at the age of 84 after experiencing complications following successful lung surgery.

Born in Erie, PA on October 5th, 1939, Paul was a loving son, brother, husband, father, grandfather, great grandfather, and friend. He was a 1957 graduate of Cathedral Prep where he excelled in football and baseball and served as class president.  Shortly after high school, Paul married his soul mate, Judy Weber, in 1959.

Paul had a love for sports and after graduation, he was drafted by the Detroit Tigers while attending Edinboro State Teacher’s College.  His pitching career was cut short due to injury, and he returned home to work for Marine Bank, Coca Cola, and American Sterilizer.  From 1958 to 1969 he also worked as an interscholastic PIAA sports official for both football and basketball before getting his big break at an NBA referee try-out camp in Buffalo. In 1969, he began his 28-year career as an NBA official.  During his career, Paul refereed NBA greats like Wilt Chamberlain, Kareem Abdul-Jabbar, Larry Bird, Dr. J, Magic Johnson, Michael Jordan, Shaquille O’Neil, and Kobe Bryant. His final stats included officiating over 2,000 regular season games, 123 Playoff games, 4 All-Star games and 2 NBA Finals games. His career allowed him to travel throughout the US, including Alaska and Hawaii and even Paris, France. Back home during the offseason, Paul enjoyed coaching his children’s athletic teams, as well as volunteering his time mentoring Erie’s youth at Bill Flaherty’s Grandview Basketball Camp. Paul’s accomplishments were recognized many times over as he was inducted as an inaugural member of the Metro Erie Sports Hall of Fame in 1986, the Pennsylvania Sports Hall of Fame in 2002, and the Cathedral Prep Hall of Fame in 2023.

Paul also had a love for life, and it was rare to find him sitting still — unless the Browns or Indians were playing. He was an avid hunter and spent quality time with his son and others at the “Doug-Out”, his son’s camp in Sheffield, PA.  He enjoyed fishing for walleye and perch from his boat, “Ketch 22.” He also enjoyed spending time with his friends and was a member of the Lawrence Park Country Club, Sportsmen’s Athletic Club, Siebenbuerger Club, and was a lifelong member at the Zukor and Erie Maennerchor Clubs. He and his wife Judy loved to travel and, for many years, spent the month of March in Arizona. He spent many nights at the casino with Judy, where blackjack was their game of choice. He enjoyed landscaping, putzing around the garage, and was a lifelong Cleveland sports fan.

Most importantly, Paul had a love for family and his legacy will be carried on by them. He is survived by his loving wife of 64 years, Judy (Weber) Mihalak; children: Pamela (Brian) Butz, Douglas Paul Mihalak, Christine (Bill) Spooner, Debra Mihalak-Hensler, and Terra (Kevin) Wible; grandchildren: Brad Butz, Megan (Butz) Allen, Lauren Mihalak, Jordynn Mihalak, Logan (Mihalak) Seigworth, Jenny (Spooner) Watson, Ally Spooner, Drew Spooner, Ava Hensler, and Jake Hensler; great grandchildren: Brody, Henley, and Cayden Butz, Madison Brent, Maisie Albert, and Jaxon Walter; sister Sue Ortallono, sister-in-law Patsy Mihalak, and many nieces and nephews.
 
Paul was preceded in death by his parents Paul and Ann (Vasilik) Mihalak, brother Richard Mihalak, infant son Patrick Lee Mihalak, brother-in-law Cecil Ortallono, and niece Joanna Ortallono. 

“Papa’s” presence in the room was larger than life. He could captivate an audience with his story telling and he will be remembered for his feisty personality, his amazing strength, his generosity, and his love. He will be greatly missed by all who knew him.

Friends may call on the family at Burton Quinn-Scott Cremation & Funeral Services Inc, West Ridge, 3801 West 26th Street on Thursday, May 9th from 6:00-8:00pm and Friday, May 10th from 1:00-3:00pm and 5:00-8:00pm. Funeral mass will be held at St. George Church at 5145 Peach Street on Saturday, May 11th at 11:00am which will be livestreamed at https://www.youtube.com/@SaintGeorgeRomanCatholicChurch/streams followed by interment at St. James Cemetery in Crossingville, PA. 

Memorials may be sent to Cathedral Preparatory School, 250 West 10th Street, Erie, PA 16501 to be applied towards scholarship opportunities in memory of Paul Mihalak.