Paul Jablonski (Pius X High School class of ’72), passed away January 23, 2021 in Overland Park, KS at the age of 67. Paul and his wife Patti proudly raised five children and were foster parents for 25 years. Paul’s life was centered around faith and service to others. He enjoyed woodworking and used his talent to build religious pieces, which he donated to Catholic churches throughout the world.
Paul was a multi-sport athlete at Pius X, participating in football, basketball, and baseball all four years of high school (1968-1972). Paul’s 20.1-point average per game his senior year in basketball still ranks him in the top five of all-time in the Pius X record books. Paul is also fondly remembered for his incredible sense of humor.
Below is an excerpt of Paul’s submission to the book, 50 Years of Thunderbolt Tradition:
“I had six brothers and we grew up watching Pius X sport stars like Chris Wickham, Mike Bohaty, Dana Stephenson, Gary Walker etc. that made me want to go to school there. Myself and all of my brothers worked part time jobs to pay the tuition so that we could go to school there. It was a tremendous thrill to put on the green and gold.”
“There were numerous people who had an influence on me during my time at Pius. Obviously, the coaches like Mr. Aldrich, Mr. Kelley, Mr. O’Boyle, Mr. Bohaty, Mr. Koenig, and Mr. Mortensen had a big impact. However, in addition I look back and I see the tremendous influence that the Priests and Nuns had on me. They were dedicated religious who gave up their life to teach us both educationally and morally. It is amazing how what they taught me still guides my actions each and every day. Mr. Aldrich used to tell us that football would teach us more about life than anything else we would ever do, and he was right. I didn’t fully appreciate what he was saying until ten years after I graduated.”
“I remember being a skinny guy in football who had to go up against giant guys from the Public Schools, but it taught me so many lessons about life. It taught me to be courageous, even against tougher odds, when the situation calls for it. Pius X was a small school who was always playing against much larger schools. Our equipment wasn’t good, our facilities were not the greatest, but we always were able to compete and win. That taught me in life if you are at a disadvantage you can still find a way to win.”
“The Christian values that are learned at Pius X go a long way in life and in the workforce. Simple things like honesty, reliability, and adaptability are learned at Pius, and are not that common when you get out in the world.”
To create an ongoing legacy in memory of Paul, the Paul Jablonski Memorial Scholarship will support Pius X students who are multi-sport athletes with financial need.
