Paul R. Bosley III

PAUL RALSTON BOSLEY III age 77, beloved husband for 54 years of Sally (née Pressinger); loving father of Holly Perry (husband Jay) and Paul R. IV (wife Mari); devoted grandfather of Jack and Frederick Perry and Kai and Kei Bosley; dearest son of the late Natalie (née Kyle) and Paul R. Bosley Jr.; cherished brother of Gale Shanower (husband Gary) and Bob Bosley (wife Karen); dear uncle and great-uncle of many. Adored by his canine companions, the late Amy and Annie.

Paul was born October 15, 1948, in Painesville, Ohio and graduated from Mentor High School in 1966. He went on to earn his degree in Mathematics from Florida Southern College, where he met the love of his life, Sally. Together they began their family in 1979 in Lake County, eventually settling in Shaker Heights where they have lived for the past 32 years. Paul earned an MA in Mathematics from John Carroll University and had a long and memorable teaching career at St. Edward High School teaching advanced level math classes. His legacy remains today as the founder and long-time organizer of the St. Edward Community Meal program. Former students frequently send letters to Paul, thanking him for his impact on their lives, long after their graduation and his retirement.

Paul had a love of cooking that was evident from his many activities. At St. James Episcopal Church in Painesville, he was active in feeding the hungry. He took professional cooking classes with award-winning chefs and opened Parker’s Restaurant with his cousin, notable Cleveland chef, Parker. As a teacher at St. Ed’s, Paul linked his love of gourmet cooking to the annual Wings Auction, St. Edward’s largest fundraiser for financial aid and scholarships. Attendees enjoyed competing for one of Paul’s fine dining experiences prepared in the winner’s home, raising thousands of dollars for student scholarships.

Paul’s hobbies and passions expanded well beyond his career talents. He enjoyed running and hiking, and he especially loved cycling, gardening, and travel. He was an avid long-distance cyclist who traveled to Vermont, Maine, and Virginia to join other cyclists on multi-day cycling tours. He also completed several 100-mile (a.k.a. “century”) rides along the Lake Erie shoreline. Paul’s family owned Bosley Nursery and Garden Shop in Mentor, so gardening was in his DNA. He cultivated beautiful summer flower gardens at his home in Shaker Heights. Paul and Sally traveled all over the U.S. and went on several international trips, including trips to Japan to visit their son Paul and his family. In retirement, Paul and Sally visited national parks in Alaska, Arizona, California, Colorado, and Utah, plus countless state parks and national forests all over the country. During their travels, they would always stop and tour any state capitol buildings they saw along their route, totaling more than 30 states.

Paul was a huge sports fan. He loved the Cleveland professional sports teams (especially the Guardians), but he also followed college football and basketball, tennis, golf, the Tour de France, IndyCar racing, and more recently, Formula 1 racing. He and a fraternity brother attended an astounding 50 consecutive Indianapolis 500 races. Paul, Sally, and their lifelong friend visited many minor league ballparks as another fun retirement hobby.

Family was truly most important to Paul. He always made it a priority to be at both of his children’s swim meets at Shaker Heights High School and Denison University. Being a grandfather brought him great joy. Whenever his grandchildren visited Cleveland, he took them on adventures to the zoo, the Cleveland Museum of Art, the Cleveland Museum of Natural History, and several favorite Lake Erie beaches. His grandchildren loved his signature Cleveland Metroparks Waterfall Tour, which concluded with a stop at his favorite ice cream shop. Paul created “Treasure Boxes” for his grandsons. On their birthdays and at Christmas, he would present each grandson with a special small keepsake, such as an arrowhead he had found as a boy, a coin from his own collection, or a pocketknife he had selected on one of his trips. Over time, the boys’ collections have grown and they always look forward to receiving their next treasure from Grandpa. Paul set aside additional treasures for Sally to give to their grandsons on future birthdays and Christmases.

Paul’s family will remember his generosity, sense of humor, and curiosity. He was in awe of the beauty of the world around him. Whenever he saw something beautiful, like a colorful sunset or a blooming dogwood, he rushed to point it out to his family and friends. He valued personal connections and set an example of hard work and self-discipline. Paul will be deeply missed by so many near and far.

To honor Paul’s legacy, please consider a donation to the Greater Cleveland Food Bank. Funeral Services Friday, March 27, 2026, at 10 AM at St. Paul’s Episcopal Church, 2747 Fairmount Blvd., Cleveland Heights. Burial following at Lake View Cemetery. The family will receive friends to pay tribute to and celebrate the life of Paul at THE DeJOHN-FLYNN-MYLOTT FUNERAL HOME OF SOUTH EUCLID, 4600 Mayfield Road (just east of Green Rd.) THURSDAY 3-7 PM.