Paul P. Shackel

Paul P. Shackel was born in New York City on April 11, 1925, to Kristina and James Shackel. He transitioned on December 27, 2020 at his home in Holbrook, NY after a long battle with congestive heart failure.
Paul had three older siblings – Olga, Joe, and Walter, and one younger brother – Matthew. Paul grew up in the Washington Heights area of upper Manhattan, where he spent his youth. After graduating Stuyvesant High School, he was employed by Western Electric. He served for 2 years in the U.S. Army toward the end of WWII in the CIC (Central Intelligence Corp).
On June 26, 1949, he married Gloria Pepe. Paul earned his bachelor’s and master’s degrees from NYU with help from the GI Bill. While enrolled in classes he held several different jobs to support his family.
In 1957 he gained employment with the New York State Office of Vocational Rehabilitation, which he remained for 30 years. He worked with his colleagues and friends – Jack Gootzeit and Walter Oldham, in developing an NGO – the Institutes for Applied Human Dynamics – which began in the Bronx. The program provides support to individuals of all ages with intellectual and developmental disabilities. Today, the Institute is well established and now has other facilities in Westchester.
His work reached Long Island organizations including Pilgrim Psychiatric Center, Maryhaven Center of Hope, Skills Unlimited, Inc., and BOCES. Over his career Paul received several awards for his work in vocational rehabilitation, and he served on the board of AHRC (Association for Habilitation and Residential Care, formerly named Association for the Help of Retarded Children) for many years. After he retired in 1987, he remained on the board for another 10 years.
He enjoyed fishing, but most of all he enjoyed storytelling, especially to the youngest of his nephews and nieces. He prided himself as a gardener, harvesting some of the most beautiful and bountiful tomatoes and cucumbers. Most of all, he enjoyed his home, being with family and friends, and always wanting to be close to the ones he loved, especially his wife Gloria. He touched and changed so many people’s lives, sometimes directly, and sometimes indirectly, without asking for anything in return.
Paul is survived by his wife Gloria Shackel, his daughter Karen Shackel Varacalli, son-in-law Michael Varacalli, grandson Michael Paul Varacalli, son Paul A. Shackel, daughter-in-law Barbara Little, along with many nieces and nephews.
In lieu of flowers please think about sending a donation in memory of Paul P. Shackel to one of the following organizations that meant so much to him.
The Institutes of Applied Human Dynamics
The Institutes of Applied Human Dynamics (IAHD) was created in 1957 in response to a group of parents seeking support and assistance for their children with special needs. At that time, programs for individuals with developmental disabilities were few, and families were in crisis.
Programs and services meet the needs of people with intellectual and developmental disabilities.
Paul Shackel was a major player in helping to build this program from its early days. It now has facilities in the Bronx and Tarrytown.
Your donation, whether small or large, will go a long way toward helping individuals enjoy a creative activity, a skill-building class, a day away or a rare visit to a loved one.
You can donate by going to:

Donate

or writing a check to:
Institute for Applied Human Dynamics
Mail a check to:
Institute for Applied Human Dynamics
32 Warren Ave.
Tarrytown, NY 10591-3021
Association for Habilitation and Residential Care (AHRC) of Suffolk
Caring for people with developmental disabilities is growing in complexity. Drastic shifts in health and behavior can occur daily forcing immediate innovative support that is necessary and, unfortunately, underfunded.
Paul Shackel had a close relationship with AHRC and after he retired in 1987 he served on the board of this organization until 1997.
When you make a meaningful gift, you help make sure their complexities are cared for regardless of what governmental funding considers “enough”. Thank you for believing in lives with dignity.
You can donate by going to:
https://www.ahrcsuffolk.org/donate
Thank you for your thoughts and prayers.
The Shackel Family