Paul Michael Champion, 60, of Estell Manor, NJ passed away on February 13, 2019. Born on April Fool’s Day, Paul’s character surely fit his birthday. A gifted carpenter, he could make anything out of a piece of wood. He and his dad would be out in Paul’s woodshop every weekend. Paul was a Bus Aide for Atlantic County Special Services for 26 years before his retirement. “Mr. Paul” greatly enjoyed “his kids” and touched many lives over the years. It was easy for Paul to relate to the children, as he had been bullied as a child for his small stature. He took up weight lifting and was proud to be a drug-free power-lifter from the age of 18. He was known to be able to lift a car motor on his own. Proud of his Irish heritage, one of Paul’s favorite movies was “The Quiet Man” from which came the oft quoted line, “When I drink whiskey, I drink whiskey and when I drink water, I drink water.” He truly personified the character Sean Thornton, portrayed by John Wayne. He was his wife’s John Wayne, and her hero, always. Preceded in death by his father William E. Champion III, his mother, Janet Janos and his brothers Donald and William. Left to cherish and celebrate his memory are his broken-hearted wife, Mary L. (Orlowsky), his sister Jannette M. DeStefano (Michael), his nephew Peter DeStefano (Melissa), his brother-in-law Richard Ostrander, his step-father Frank Janos, his grieving dog-children Will, Cody, Sinbad and Josie, the Whitehurst family and many relatives and his very dear friends from Donny’s. Slainte Paul! A celebration of Paul’s life will be held on Monday, February 25th from 3-7pm at Donny’s Mays Landing Inn, 58 Mill Street, Mays Landing.