Paul Gregory Haas

Paul Gregory Haas, of Bainbridge, Ohio, passed away suddenly on June 15, 2014, as he took his last motorcycle ride around the valley.

Greg was born April 29, 1954, in Greenfield, Ohio, to Robert D. and Virginia Haas.

He was preceded in death by his father, Robert.

He is survived by his wife, the former Stacia Knisley, who he married on July 27, 1974. Also survived by his mother, Ginny; Children: Allison Haas, of Skagway, Alaska; Elizabeth (Todd) Walker, of Bloomington, Indiana; and Alex Haas, of Houston, Texas; Four grandchildren: Jackson, Adelyn, Halle, and Sadie Walker, affectionately known as his "pups". He is also survived by his older brothers, Mike (Judy) Haas, of Bainbridge, and Patrick (Pam) Haas, of Chillicothe, and several nieces and nephews.

Greg spent his entire life in Bainbridge, Ohio, where he had an idyllic childhood. He was known to often sneak away to the quarry and "Big Hole" with his friends and had fond memories of the old bicycle club. He took an early interest in flying, spending many hours during his youth at his father's airstrip on Rt. 50. He became a private pilot at the age of 16, getting his pilot's license even before his driver's license.

Greg was a 1972 graduate of Paint Valley High School and a 1976 graduate of The Ohio State University, graduating with a degree in Landscape Horticulture.

To quote his good friend, Byron Lloyd, "He was probably the smartest guy I ever knew. He could do anything." And he certainly was a jack of all trades. He owned and operated Haas Landscaping & Garden Center in Washington Court House through the 1970's and 1980's. In the mid 80's, he and Byron started a cable company together, selling it a few years later. He then spent 18 years at Horizon Chillicothe Telephone and most recently was a manager at Kenworth Trucking. He also owned several small businesses, was a member of IBEW, and was an Airframe and Power Plant Mechanic with an instruction authorization.

But his real passions were outside of the workplace. In most of his spare time, he could be found at Haas Airport, working on one of his two airplanes. He loved to fly his Champ around the valley, often joined by his good friend, Steve Ingle. He was always quick to share his love of flying with others, never hesitating to take a friend or stranger for a ride. A bit of a daredevil, he never liked to admit that he was caught flying under the Paint Creek Lake Bridge in his younger days. He also enjoyed home renovations, woodworking, taking his boat out on the lake, and going for long motorcycle rides. Never without a project, he once fully restored a 1969 Mustang, rebuilt a 1969 Triumph Bonneville with his son, Alex, and also constructed a replica WWII bomber pedal plane for his grandson Jackson's 4th birthday.

Although busy with his own projects, he always put other people's needs ahead of his own and could be counted on to lend a hand whenever asked. To list off all of his volunteer work would be nearly impossible, but over the last 30 years he gave a lot of his time to the Paint Valley Youth League, the Bainbridge Fire Department, and Paint Valley Athletic Boosters, to name just a few. He also served two terms on the Paint Valley Board of Education, where he served as President.

Greg was a giant of a man with a quiet disposition and a huge heart. He will be greatly missed by his mother, wife, children, grandchildren, and all who knew him.

In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to Paint Valley Youth League, PO Box 566 Bainbridge, Ohio 45612 or Paint Valley Athletic Boosters.

A Celebration of Life will be held on Saturday, June 21, from 1 to 5 PM at the Haas home at 1744 US Rt. 50 Bainbridge. All are welcome to stop in and share a favorite story or memory.

The SMITH-MOORE-EBRIGHT Funeral Home of Bainbridge is serving the family.