Paul Eugene (Pete) Webster Jr.

Paul Eugene (Pete) Webster, Jr. passed away peacefully on December 16, 2025, at the age of 93. In his lifetime he was devoted primarily to his faith, his family, and his profession as a carpenter. Born on January 22, 1932, in Towanda, PA, he graduated from Saint Agnes Catholic School in 1950, before working at National Homes in Horseheads, NY. In 1951 Paul joined the Army as a paratrooper, although he had never flown in a plane before enlisting. He was assigned to the 82nd Airborne Division, completing paratrooper’s training and earned his wings in 1952. During training, they were flown to Nevada to witness an atomic bomb test. He recalls seeing the iconic mushroom cloud formation and felt the explosion blast pass over the trench where he and his fellow soldiers were stationed. In November of that year, he transferred to the Infantry Division and was stationed in Korea. During the Korean War, he earned three bronze medals and served with distinction as a Master Sargeant until the war ended in 1954. Upon returning to the States with an honorable discharge, he married his high school sweetheart, Patricia McCarthy, in 1954. They were married in Saints Peter and Paul Catholic Church in Towanda. Together they raised five sons, born in quick succession, with only seven years separating the oldest from the youngest. Paul returned to work at National Homes and worked there for fifteen years, constructing panels, roof trusses and other housing components to accommodate the burgeoning demand for housing during the 1950s and 1960s. Eventually he started his own carpentry business, Webster and Sons Construction. He worked long hours and often weekends to help support his family, although he always made time to attend church and watch his sons’ active participation in sports. Paul was known throughout the Athens, Sayre and Waverly communities for his honesty, hard work and craftsmanship. Driving around these communities, one could admire innumerable carpentry projects that he, his fellow carpenters and his sons had completed. During his career, he built four houses for his family’s primary residence. Paul worked as a carpenter until his late seventies, eventually selling the business to his son, Gary Webster. Paul was an exceptionally patriotic man who revered the United States of America, its flag and national anthem. More than once his growing sons were reminded of his high standard of respect for the country’s symbols of freedoms and rights. Paul was equally committed to his faith, diligent is attending Mass and saying prayers. Recently, he developed a close friendship with Father Toomey, Pastor at the Epiphany Church in Sayre, a veteran of the U.S. Air Force. Paul was a man who held tightly to traditional values and believed that life’s lessons were better caught than taught. He imparted values more often by his actions than his words, convinced that conduct and achievements were sufficiently eloquent so that often words were unnecessary. Nevertheless, he was a man of his word and was respected for his integrity, believing that a handshake in agreement meant more than any contract. Paul enjoyed fishing and hunting for most of his adult life and ceased hunting with his sons only when his eyesight made it unsafe. While his profession was building indoor spaces, he was a flannel-wearing outdoors man who tended to assess other men initially by the calluses on their hands. Paul was a man of action, possessing a “get-it-done” demeanor. While he was proud that his five sons and even his twelve grandchildren graduated from colleges, he was not oriented towards academics or formal education. When he was indoors, he enjoyed western, nature and military movies as well as Penn State sports. Paul will be remembered fondly by his extensive family and those privileged enough to have known him. He is survived by Patricia, his wife of seventy-one years, sons: Michael (Jann), Mark (Dianne), Joseph (Rita), Gary (Karen) and Scott (Glenna), twelve grandchildren and 19 great grandchildren. Indeed, he was blessed to have known his children’s children’s children. He was predeceased by his parents, Paul and Lillian (Zurn) Webster, siblings Mary Margaret O’Connor, Eugene (Bud) Webster and Jarmelia Mitchell. He believed and lived by the adage that “Hard work wins”. His life was characterized by devotion to those he loved his work and his country. He leaves behind a rich and memorable legacy of integrity, devotion, and grit. As noted in Psalm 127:1, “Unless the Lord builds the house, the builders labor in vain”. Abundantly evident to all who knew him, Paul Webster did not labor in vain. Viewing hours will be Friday, December 19 from 5:00 to 7:00 p.m. at the Alteri-Bowen Funeral Home in Sayre, PA. A funeral mass will be held on Saturday, December 20 at 10:00 a.m. at the Epiphany Church in Sayre, PA. Family members invite everyone to a fellowship meal at the church following the service. In lieu of flowers, the family requests that donations be made to the Epiphany Church or Epiphany School, both in Sayre. Memories and condolences may be expressed by visiting www.bowenfuneralhomes.com.

Paul Eugene (Pete) Webster Jr.

January 22, 1932 - December 16, 2025

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Paul Eugene (Pete) Webster Jr.

January 22, 1932 - December 16, 2025

365 Days of Grief Support

What We Do

Flowers & Gifts

About Us

Resources

Obituaries

Grief & Healing

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