Obituary of Paul V. Wicker, Jr.

On April 6, 2023 Paul V. Wicker Jr. lost his long fought battle with Parkinson’s Disease and made his final “climb” to the eternal gates.

Born on August 13^th, 1940 to the late Paul and Ruth (Williams) Wicker, Paul grew up in Syracuse attending Central Tech where he excelled in baseball. He was just 16 when he met the love of his life Camille (LePonto), then 14, when attending a Smith Tech-Valley dance. It was there that Paul used his famed pickup line, “Hey you, do ya want to dance”, which obviously worked as this past year they celebrated their 61^st year of marriage.

Paul was a man of many achievements, having an unrivaled passion for trying new adventures and learning new things; and, aside for a short ill-fated hang-gliding career, he excelled at most everything he set out to do both professionally and otherwise.

First graduating from Mohawk Valley Community College with a degree in drafting, Paul then continued his education graduating from SUNY ESF College of Forestry at Syracuse University (1965); all while starting a family and working nights on the Erie Lackawanna Railroad with his father at the Geddes Street Station. Upon graduating, Paul moved his young family to Elkins West Virginia to start a career in forest land valuation with the National Forest Service.

In 1968, Paul and family returned to Syracuse when he accepted a position in the Commercial Appraisal Department of Eagan Real Estate. While at Eagan Paul achieved both his MAI Designation with the Appraisal Institute and his SRA Designation with the Society of Real Estate Appraisers; eventually holding the position of President of the Upstate New York Chapters of both organizations.

In 1980, Paul left Eagan to pursue his dream of owning his own appraisal business, and started Paul Wicker Associates, Inc. His firm quickly rose to be one of the largest and most reputable real estate valuation firms throughout Upstate New York, later being renamed Wicker Appraisal Associates, Inc, when he was proudly joined by his daughter Christine and son Michael.

Paul was also active in the Town of Onondaga Republican party where he was a Town Councilman from 1978-1979 and Town Supervisor from 1980-1985; also holding the position as the head of the Board of Supervisors for Onondaga County for multiple years. Some of Paul’s proudest political achievements included his involvement with the closing of the Tripoli Landfill, the establishment of the Cross-Town Sewer District and the development of OCRA’s Garbage Burning Steam Plant.

Paul was an avid outdoorsman enjoying skiing, hunting, golf (Member of Lafayette C.C.), canoeing and both mountain and ice climbing. His notable achievements include being an active member of the National Ski Patrol and was Director of Ski Patrol at Song Mountain where he earned his EMT status and was awarded the National Ski Patrol Award recognizing his many achievements to improve ski patrol Paul was a member of the Adirondack 46er’s, climbing many of the high peaks in both the summer and winter; and he was extremely proud to have climbed Mt. Rainier with son David in 1987.

Paul will be remembered as a great teacher whether it be to the vast number of local real estate appraisers that were fortunate enough to receive his tutelage as they began their carriers; or to anybody that would listen when sharing his adventures and life experiences, often accompanied by one of his many photo logs or slide presentations.

Paul will be greatly missed and forever loved by many, particularly his grandchildren to which he and mom devoted so much of their time and love. He is survived by his loving wife Camille; sisters Margaret (Robert) Groman and Mary Gentzke; daughter Christine (Jeffrey) Yaro, sons Michael (Karyl Ann) and David; grandchildren Aaron, Ava, Caitlin, Samantha, Gabriella, and Tatiana; great grandchildren Leo, Lola, Clay, Sawyer, Bryce, Aaron Paul and Arya; and numerous nieces and nephews.

The family would like to sincerely thank the staff at Loretto for their most compassionate care for dad over the past several years. While dad wasn’t always the easiest resident (he could be a stubborn one) the love that the staff showed for him will never be forgotten.

A Mass of Christian Burial will be held Tuesday April 11, 2023 at 10am at Holy Family Church. Calling hours will be Monday April 10, 2023 from 4-7pm at the Edward J. Ryan & Son Funeral Home. Entombment in St. Mary’s Mausoleum, DeWitt. In lieu of flowers the family asks that donations be made to the Parkinson Association of CNY.