Paul L. Longbrake

Paul Longbrake, 83 of Robbinsville, NC, went home to be with the Lord on August 17, 2021, at Valley View Rehabilitation and Care Center in Andrews, NC.

Paul was a loving and devoted husband to the late Anne Prator Longbrake. He is survived by Nora Lee (Abel) Devine, his former wife and mother of their children Steven Paul Longbrake, Karen Lee Nicholson; grandsons Salvatore Paul Pacilio and Iain Scott Nicholson.

Paul was born on February 7, 1938 in Elyria, OH to the late Clarence and Esther (DeLoe) Longbrake. He had seven siblings, six brothers and one sister and is survived by only one brother, Lewis Dale Longbrake.

On July 8, 1957, Paul enlisted in the United States Marine Corps and honorably served until November 7, 1960. On August 20, 1959, Paul married Nora and the couple had three children, Steven and twins Karen and Jeffery. They lived in Columbia Station, OH where Paul built their first home on South Boone Road. This is also where Paul built a boat in his basement one winter, then in the spring, took it apart to rebuild it in his garage. Always an expert, he could build and fix anything he put his mind to. His many skills were self-learned; if he wanted to know how to build anything, fix a car, plant a garden, cook a meal, he learned how to do it himself and never cut corners.

In the summer of 1971, he moved his family to Estero, FL where he built their second home located on a canal. This is where he also built a boat slip with a boat lift. Having an entrepreneurial spirit, Paul opened his own successful lawn mower repair shop in Fort Myers, FL. He also provided lawn care services on the side. Family was his number one priority and would do whatever was necessary in order to provide for his family.

About six months after an amicable divorce, Paul met Anne during a dental exam at the practice where Anne was the dental hygienist. Paul and Anne married on September 22, 1980, in Fort Myers, FL. During the next ten years they purchased two homes and had one rental property. While living at their first home, Paul built a pontoon airplane and flew it. It was truly amazing.

 Wanting to get away from city life, Paul and Anne bought land in Graham County, NC in 1990. They moved to Tuskeegee in 1991 where Paul built their home and put his extraordinary carpentry talents to use within the community, earning himself a reputation of dependability. One could always count on Paul showing up on time, no matter the weather.

Paul was an honest, generous, and quiet man who loved his family and friends dearly and will be profoundly missed.

A memorial service will be held on Thursday, August 26, 2021, at Grace-Mountainside Lutheran Church, 129 S. Main St. at 11:00 a.m.

Townson-Smith Funeral Home was honored to assist the Longbrake family.  An online register is available at www.townson-smithfuneralhome.com.