Paul Fung Jr.

Obituary of Paul Fung Jr.

Cartoonist Paul Fung Jr. lived life by never saying no to any new experience and took each opportunity that challenged him. Born in Seattle, WA on March 9, 1923, he passed away peacefully at the age of 93 on Friday, April 8, 2016 at the Saratoga Hospital Nursing Home. He started drawing at the age of 3 and at 4 years old was in "Our Gang" comedies, and did Vaudeville for a few years. Paul was introduced into some movie shorts by Ripley of "Believe it or not" comics when Mr. Ripley made a life size drawing of him seemingly come to life as he walked off the stage as a Chinese child character. He did some radio kid shows before becoming a NY Yankee Team Mascot at the age of 13 via Lefty Gomez, Gehrig and DiMaggio during the1936-'39 season. He graduated from Pratt Institute prior to entering WWII where he flew with Gen. Chaunalt in the 77th, 5th and 20th Army Air Force as a Camera Technician earning 2 Bronze Battle Stars for participating in flights over Japan, where he took before and after photographs of military objectives under hazardous battle conditions for the Okinawa and Japan Air Offensive. After receiving honorable discharge in 1946, he worked in ad agencies as an Artist, Art Director, Production Manager and Account Executive before joining King Features Syndicate for 18 years as Artist for the Special Service Dept. drawing "Blondie" comics for 40 years. He was recognized as Best Comic Book Artist in 1964 and Best Humorist in 1980 by the National Cartoonist Society. He contributed to many other cartoon strips that include "Popeye", "Rocky & Bullwinkle", "George of the Jungle", "Hong Kong Phooey" and "Mutt and Jeff" and during this period he performed duties as a sketch artist for the NYC Police. Locally he collaborated on a political satire "Asses Rule the Masses" with music composer Rod McBrien. Paul was heavily involved in local civic groups as a member of the Lions, Masons and Shriners. He served as a member for 25 years as a Supreme Counselor of the Ancient Scottish Rite, the VFW, American Legion and for a short time the Elks where he donated his artistic abilities making posters to support local fundraising causes after moving into the area in 1964. Paul is survived by his wife of 58 years Carol; his daughter Lorraine and Howard Gardephe, Jr. of Greenwich with their daughters Sara (Brooklyn, NY) and Jade (Los Angeles, CA); his son Paul Randall (Randy) of Greenwich and his daughters Ashley and Tyson Traver with their son Theodore of Culpeper, VA, and Marine 2nd LT Emily (of Havlock NC) and CPT Graham Johnson of Quantico, VA. Paul’s life will be celebrated with full military honors at the Gerald B.H. Solomon Saratoga National Cemetery on Friday, April 22, 2016 at 1:00 pm with the Rev. Chip Strickland officiating. Memorials made in his name can be sent to Saratoga Hospital Nursing Home on Floor D-2 in recognition and special thanks to the staff and volunteers who made him feel at home for the past 13 years. Other remembrances in his name can be given to any local animal shelter in your area. Most importantly please take the time to Eat a Dagwood Sandwich in Paul’s memory. Online condolences and messages to the family may be made at www.flynnbrosinc.com
Monday
11
April

Interment at: Mt. Anthony Crematory

Monday, April 11, 2016
Mt. Anthony Crematory
Bennington, Vermont, United States
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