Paul Horan Dilloian

Paul Horan Dilloian, 88, of Florence, SC, passed surrounded by his family on September 22, 2022 after a short illness. Paul was born in Brooklyn, NY on June 16, 1934 to his parents, Mary and Mergurditch Dilloian.  He moved to Asbury Park, NJ at the age of 10, attended Bond Street Grammer School and graduated from Asbury Park High School in 1952. He married his High School Sweetheart, Janice Marie Vola, a cheerleader at Asbury High School, on September 8, 1956.  He and his wife lived in Neptune, NJ where they raised their three children, until they retired to Venice, Florida in 1997. In 2017 they moved to Florence, SC to be closer to family.

Paul was an avid sports fan, particularly baseball, and was an outstanding ball player in high school and at the University of Maryland.  In 1951 he gained All-Shore and All-State honors as a second baseman and was the Asbury Park Press' All-Shore shortstop in 1952 while playing with the Asbury High Bishops. He attended the University of Maryland and quickly earned a scholarship to play baseball as a freshman after playing his first game on their Varsity team. Right up until his passing, he told anyone who would listen, about his "baseball years" and his family can attest that his one disappointment was that he never got a shot at playing pro ball.  

He was a partner in Dilloian Store Fixtures (woodworker/carpenter) in Allenhurst, NJ with his father and brother Harry until he retired.

He entered the US Army in 1957 earning the rank of SP5 and while active, he played ball for the Ft. Bragg, NC baseball team and softball at Ft. Devens, Mass. 

Paul was an active parent, coaching his sons in West Neptune Minor League and attending as many games as possible that his kids played. He served as President on the Neptune High School Red and Black Booster Club and was active in it for 6 years.

He had many talents, interests and hobbies that included bowling, golf, fishing, gardening, stained glass, oil painting and cooking Armenian food (always trying to perfect it the way his mother made it). His joy was his grandchildren and great grandchildren and his presence will be greatly missed by his family and friends.

Paul was preceded in death by his parents, Mary (O’Hanian) and Mergurditch Dilloian, and brother, Harry Dilloian.  He is survived by his three children, Gregory (Ramona) Dilloian, Kathleen (Michael) Rathier, and Michael (Susan) Dilloian; 6 granddaughters Brandi, Melissa, Allison, Rebecca, Kristen and Lauren, one grandson, Jonathan; two great-granddaughters, Kelsey and Corie and one great grandson, Carson.  

The family will receive friends from 1:00 until 1:45 PM at Cain Calcutt Funeral Home, 512 2nd Loop Road, Florence, SC on Wednesday, October 5, 2022.  A graveside memorial service with Military Honors will follow at 2:00 PM at Florence National Cemetery, 803 E National Cemetery Rd., Florence SC.

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