Paul Joseph Mares

Paul J. Mares, age 66, of Maryville, passed away Tuesday, August 16, 2022 at Blount Memorial Hospital.  Paul was born June 2, 1956 to parents George J. Mares Sr. and Rosemary A. Petrik (both deceased) in Oak Park, IL. Preceded in death by: brothers, George J. Mares Jr and Charles A. Mares.  Survived by: Anthony J Britz, partner of 30 years in Maryville TN; sister-in-law, Ann Mares of La Porte, IN; nieces and nephews, Deborah (Alan) Lee of Knoxville, TN, George Mares, Streamwood, IL, Joseph Mares, La Grange, IL and Paulette Mares, La Porte, IN; great nieces and nephews, Thomas Scully, Joshua Scully, Madeline Mares, Samantha Mares, Jonathan Mansfield.

Paul was very proud to have been an Eagle Scout in his youth. He graduated with a bachelor's degree from Valparaiso University in Valparaiso Indiana.  He was member of Our Lady of Fatima Church for 23 years as well as a member of the Choir for most of those years.  He served and volunteered for the Mardi Growl Parade in downtown Knoxville for many years, proudly driving his Cadillac through the streets of Knoxville.  He was a member of the Knoxville Gay Men's Chorus.  Paul loved to sing.  In his younger years he worked and helped run his father's Hardware Store and a store of his own for a couple of years both in Chicago.  He moved to Tennessee with his partner and together they ran a catering business for 20 years.

In lieu of flowers Contributions to St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital; Breast Cancer Research, in honor of his mother and/or to Young Williams Animal Center in Knoxville.

His Celebration of Life and Funeral will be at Our Lady of Fatima Catholic Church in Alcoa, Tennessee on Monday, August 29, 2022. We will meet with friends and family in the narthex of the church at 10:00 a.m. with the funeral Mass to follow at 11:00 a.m. The inurnment will follow directly after Mass at the columbarium toward the back of the church outside. And then, a hospitality luncheon provided by the good people of Our Lady of Fatima in the parish hall. Paul loved to sing in church and anywhere else for that matter, so please bring your singing voices to honor him as well as singing to the glory of God. Rest in peace Paul. Smith Funeral & Cremation Service, Maryville, 865-983-1000, www.SmithFuneralandCremation.com.