Paul Dietrich was born on July 19, 1961 in Glens Falls, NY. He is a 1979 graduate of Hudson Falls Senior High School and a 1981 graduate of Hudson Valley Community College in Troy, NY, where he received an AAS Degree in Mortuary Science.
Growing up in a family dedicated to public service, Paul became very interested in fire service. In 1979, at the age of 18, he became a member of the Hudson Falls Volunteer Fire Department and has been an active member ever since. He has held every line officer position, and served for 11 years as the Chief of Department. Awarded twice for rescues (including the department’s highest honor, the Medal of Valor), he continues to serve as an active member.
In 1977, Paul was offered a part time position at the Carleton Funeral Home taking care of the company vehicles. From there he began assisting with funeral services and the many aspects of funeral service and soon came to realize that he had found his calling. Following his graduation from Hudson Valley Community College, he served his one year residency with Carleton’s and then became a New York State Licensed Funeral Director. He has been serving the people of this area ever since. Following the retirement of C. Bruce Wetmore, manager of the funeral home, Paul became the manager of Carleton Funeral Home. He now serves as vice president of the funeral home and he and his partner Doneen Nikas, now continue the Carleton Funeral home tradition, providing hometown owned, caring service to those in need.
He is the past President of the Adirondack Funeral Directors Association, past Treasurer of the Washington County Chief’s and Officer’s Association, a member of Mac Boston 18Truck (a memorial dedicated to firefighters), a member of the Washington County Traffic Safety Board, and currently serves as a member of the Board of Trustees to the Hudson Valley Community College Mortuary Science program.
Paul resides in Hudson Falls in the family home on Feeder St., where he and his brothers and sisters grew up.