Paul F. Starzynski, 86, of Arlington, died Feb. 16 following a long illness.
Paul was born in Pittsburgh. He graduated from Duquesne University with a degree in English and he earned a master’s from the University of Pennsylvania in Philadelphia.
He served his country at home and abroad as a career foreign service officer in the U.S. Information Agency for 30 years. He met his wife, Florence, while on assignment in Korea in 1966. The couple dated for three months, became engaged and married on a military base in Seoul April 1, 1967.
Florence gave birth to their son, Father Stefan P. Starzynski, in Bangkok in 1969. The couple felt called to adopt a child after their son’s birth. When Father Stefan was about a year old, they adopted their daughter, Kim.
Paul was transferred to Washington in 1971, and the family moved to Arlington. Over the years, Paul traveled around the world for work, serving in both Japan and India, where he met Mother Teresa of Kolkata. He was an active member of St. Ann Church for more than 50 years.
He is survived by his wife of 56 years Florence (Alff) Starzynski, sister Susan (Starzynski) Young, son Father Starzynski, daughter Kim (Starzynski) Walker, and her children Kara (Walker) Sheasley, Tyler and Drew Walker. He was a foster father to Vibol and Visal Huynh, Ayalew Gebreamlake and Megan Reilly.
A Mass of Christian Burial will be offered at St. Ann Church, 5300 N. 10th St., Arlington, Feb. 24 at 1 p.m. A viewing will be held before the Mass at 11:45 a.m.
