Paul P. Greene
February 2, 1928 ~ November 6, 2011
Resided in:
Asheville, NC
Paul P. Greene, 83, joined the ranks of angels Sunday afternoon at his home surrounded by his family.
A native of Asheville, Paul was the proud owner of Wick and Greene Jewelers in downtown. Born in 1928, Paul had an interesting journey. He spent most of his childhood on a farm north of Asheville with his aunt and uncle. When his father died in 1941, Paul was 14 and returned to the city to work to support his mother and his two younger siblings. It was then that he formed his relationship with E.O. Wick of Pick-Wick Jewelers. Paul worked for Mr. Wick before and after school and would later go on to apprentice with Mr. Wick as a hand engraver under the GI Bill. At 18, Paul joined the US Navy as a Midshipman and later became a Fireman First Class. He was stationed at Treasure Island on the USS Oklahoma City. While on leave from his post, he met the love of his life, Lucia Brown.
Paul returned to Asheville in 1948 to marry Lucia and make his home with her in Asheville. Paul went on to become a partner in the jewelry business and it was renamed Wick and Greene Jewelers. Together, Paul and Lucia worked to grow the business and make it one of the premier jewelers in the country. Paul worked everyday designing and manufacturing beautiful jewelry; he had a rare gift that will be sorely missed. Paul was joined in the business by his son Michael and his granddaughter Eva-Michelle. Together they will carry on Paul's legacy, for he is the very definition of the word. The only thing Paul loved more than his work was his family. Together Paul and Lucia have two children, Michael Greene and wife Eva, and Paula Greene Webb and husband Steve, and three grandchildren, Christopher Webb, Paul Webb, and Eva-Michelle Greene.
Paul was a great philanthropist; he supported many causes benefiting Calvary Baptist Church and his beloved Asheville. He was a deacon emeritus in the Baptist church and a trustee emeritus at Mars Hill College. He was also a member the Asheville Kiwanis Club. His generosity is legendary. He contributed a tremendous amount to the Asheville he called home: he was a pioneer of the revitalization of downtown Asheville and served on many local boards. Paul loved to ride his motorcycle in the mountains and did so often. Above all, Paul was a devoted husband to Lucia, his wife of 63 years and a loving father and grandfather. He taught everyone he knew compassion, humility, generosity, perseverance and love. He will be missed but his spirit will forever be a part of everyone who knew him.
A visitation will be held Wednesday evening at Groce Funeral Home on Patton Ave. from 6:00 to 8:30 p.m., and also from 1:30 to 2:30 p.m. Thursday at Calvary Baptist Church. Funeral services will be held Thursday at 2:30pm at Calvary Baptist Church in West Asheville. Dr. W. Thomas Sawyer, Dr. Buddy Corbin, and the Rev. Don N. Welborn will officiate. Interment will follow at Green Hills Cemetery.
A charitable endowment has been established in his name to help young entrepreneurs like Paul in our community. If you would like to send a donation to this trust in lieu of flowers please send it to the Paul P. Greene Charitable Endowment at the Community Foundation of WNC, PO Box 1888, Asheville, NC 28802. Memorials may also be made to Calvary Baptist Church, 531 Haywood Rd., Asheville, NC 28806, or to Mars Hill College, PO Box 370, Mars Hill, NC 28754.
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My thoughts and prayers go out to the entire Greene Family. It broke my heart to hear of Pauls passing. He was such a sweet man, not to mention handsome…I always loved seeing Paul and Lucia at Calvary. He always had a smile on his face and gave the best hugs. Heaven has surely gained an Angel. Paul, we will see you again one day. GOD BLESS each of you. Love, Deb
Paul was not only a long time friend, but also a true mentor. Paul taught me great work ethic and principal. Never do anything half-way, and if you don’t have a tool for the job…make it! I will forever be grateful for the foundation that he and Michael gave me during the time I was blessed to be part of Wick and Greene. Honor, Loyalty and Love. Thank you.
Paul Greene gave me my chance in the jewelry business. I was 15 years old. I had no real direction in life. All I knew was I wanted to work. I applied at Wick and Greene Jewelers, and Mr. Greene gave me a chance. Today, I am in the jewelry business.
Needless to say, if it hadn’t been for Mr. Greene reaching out to help young people get a start, I don’t know where I would have ended up. I’m not only thankful to Mr. Greene for the start in the jewelry business, but, if not more so, the character of being a businessman, family man, and a friend. I will never forget the influence he had on me.
I often think of my time at Wick and Greene, and I realize how thankful that God blessed me to have Paul Greene in my life!
I am so thankful to have reconnected with the Greene family a couple of times over the past 10 years or so.
I love you, Michael, Lucia, and Eva Greene! I am sorry for your loss, but we know where he is, and we will all meet together again one fine day!
I was so saddened to hear of Paul’s passing. I had only just recently met Paul and the family but found them to be a very warm and loving family. It was an honor to spend some time in Paul’s presence. My heart goes out to the family for your loss.
Kari Harris
Sheri and I are so sadden to here this news. This is one of the best men I have ever meet no matter where in this country my travels have taken me. He will be missed by us but the City of Asheville lost a true treasure. our prayers go out to his family.
The Smith Family is very sad today to have the news that our first Cousin Paul has gone for his eternal highest rewards. Paul gave me my first real job when I was fourteen at Wick & Greene Jewelers in 1954. I worked for Paul and Lucia after school, holidays, summers and part time through my years at UNC- A. He was my dear friend, mentor, idol and like a father to me. I am still making Jewelry with the tools he and Lucia gave me when I left for School in Memphis. The love of the Jewelry business that was given to me, has become my life’s work and I have cherished and have always treasured the blessing of Paul, who instilled in me, faith, hope and charity. He taught me to do the very best in everything. Our thoughts and prayers are for all of his family. With love, Judy and Charles
WORDS CANNOT BEGIN TO EXPREES OUR SORROW.CALVARY CHURCH HAS LOST ONE OF OUR DEAREST SUPPORTERS AND SAINTS TO THE LORD.LUCIA,OUR DEEPEST SYMPATHY GOES OUT TO YOU AND ALL THE FAMILY.
Lucia and Family, I was distressed to hear about Paul. We are never ready in life to lose our loved ones. The only comfort has to come from our Faith in the Sovereignty of God and the manifested concern of those who care. We hope in some small way it does help to know you are in my thoughts and prayers. We do go back a lot of years. Mary Clark Lucas
Lucia, Mike, Eva and other family members – my thoughts and prayers are with you at this time of earthly grief in the loss of such a wonderful father. We had relatives in from D.C. last week, and I was telling them the Wick & Greene story – I can remember going into that little shop up on Wall Street (not the later big store on Wall Street – much earlier than that!) as a little girl and watching it grow and grow over the years. You were all so blessed to have this man as your father, grandfather, etc. – he always had a kind word for everyone. He will be missed. God bless you all.
Paul Greene was a great friend. I am a better person for having known him. Paul will be missed because he meant a lot to Western North Carolina. I will long remember our trip to the Holy Land and how much T. W. Wilson and the trip meant to him. Our prayers are that the Holy Spirit will be with the family.
I will always remember Paul as such a kind gentleman and example of class and elegance. Sending love, prayers and thoughts to Lucia and family.
Debbie and Allison Hampton
I was very sorry to hear of Paul’s passing. We have been friends for a long time, even before I met him at the Kiwanis Club. It was a good day at our Installation Dinner on September 27th last, when he felt well enough to attend, with his family. He will be missed, but not forgotten, by the many friends he has made along the way. May God be with his family, during these days.
Walt Lewis, Kiwanis Club Member
We are very sorry for your loss and are keeping you all in our thoughts and prayers.
I will miss my good friend Paul, it has been such a joy to have known him. My thoughts and prayers are with Paul’s wonderful family.
We are very sorry to hear of your loss. Mr. Greene was a wonderful man who made such an impact on our city.Our thoughts and prayers are with you
Dear Lucia, So sorry to hear about Paul………..My goodness I remember living next door to you all on Baker Avenue when I was four years old, that was 61 years ago…..Paul was a wonderful man and he had alot of class……..Mary and my prayers are with you and Michael and all your family………Butch.
Dear Greene family,
I know that you are grieving and rejoicing right now. Praise God that we as believers have our hope in eternal life and heaven!
I always enjoyed seeing Mr. and Mrs. Greene at the Emmanuel Lutheran school events. My prayers are with you all during this difficult time.
Dear Michael,
Sorry to read about your father’s death in the paper today. I lost my father a couple of years ago, and I know how much you’ll miss him. May ‘the peace that passes all understanding’ be with you and your family.
Steve & Linda Parker
Parkers’ Karat Patch
Dear Michael and family:
Please accept my deepest sympathy. Paul was truly an inspiration to many people, including me. I was fortunate to spend time with him on the Asheville Merchants Board and enjoyed his quick wit and determination in all matters.
My thoughts and prayers are with you during this difficult time.
Condolences,
Bob Roberts
Your Dad was a most kind and gracious man. Whenever we would come to the store, he would make us feel most welcomed and insure that we were well attended to.
Always enjoyed the opportunity to say hello to him when you were having dinner at CCA as a family.
He will be missed.
I’m so sorry to hear of Paul’s death. He was my dad’s nephew and I met him on one of my trips to NC many years ago. May you be comforted by the only One who can give us peace during times of grief, and that is the Lord Jesus Christ. I truly wish I could be there for the visitation and funeral. May God grant each of you strength during this time.
I express my deepest sympathy for your loss. Mr Greene was always so kind to me.I will miss him. May God grant you peace with his promise.
Love, Maria Yianopolous
Oh, Dearest Friends, I have no words to express my sorrow in hearing about Paul’s passing. Of course we know he was welcomed with open arms by so many who have gone before and loved him, but for those of us here, our hearts are broken. Paul Greene was a true gentleman, one of the most sincere and kind people I have ever known. I suspect he is now making beautiful jewels for the throne of God. With our deepest sympathy, Shawn and Roger Penny
Our hearts are so sadden to hear of the death of Paul. We will miss him always. Paul was an individual to be held in high esteem, a man of good character with a sweet, sweet spirit that dwell within him. Remembering the days we spent together,if your day was going bad Paul could always cheer you up with a joke or two. He
remembered the wedding rings when
forgotten by the groom..Our prayers
are with you Lucia. We love you.
To the Greene Family,
I am so very sorry for your loss. My memories of Paul are very dear. Paul Greene was a mentor to my father, Rudi. When my dad worked there and i was a little girl, Paul allowed me to come on Saturday’s and decorate the little window in the tiny shop down the hallway behind what would later become Wick & Greenes on Wall Street, always giving me some lovely little trinket. I remember him as a kind and gentle man. My prayers and heartfelt sympathy go out to you all, especially to Lucia. God bless you all.
To Lucia, Michael and family,
Mark and I extend our deepest sympathy. We will always remember Paul for his warmth and his smile. His eyes twinkled when he told stories. May God comfort you with precious memories of life shared with Paul. May the Lord receive him with ‘Well done, good and faithful servant.’
Michael and Paula,
My thoughts and prayers are with you during this difficult time. God will be with you.
Condolences to the entire family. Our prayers are with you. May you cherish wonderful memories while looking forward to meeting again in heaven. Mr. Paul will be greatly missed. He was truly one of a kind.
Harry & Ruby Grooms
Pat Grooms Forbes
Michael and family. I am sorry to hear about your dad. Even though I did not know him personally, I know he was a wonderful man. My thoughts and prayers go out to you and your family.
Michael and Eva,
Paul was blessed with a wonderful family. You all are a reflection of this great man. I pray that God’s blessings will always be with your family.
Sincerely,
WD Reed Jr
We are so sorry for your loss. Mr. Greene was a precious man and will be missed by many. Praying for God’s comfort for the entire family.
Greene Family:
We are sorry to hear of the passing of Mr. Greene. We will keep the family in our thoughts and prayers.
Randy and Susan Scruggs
We believe that Paul is now an angel and he will always be looking after you. Words can not express how deeply sorry we are for your loss of such a wonderful and beloved man.Please know that our thoughts and prayers are with you. We love you.
Lucia, Paula and Mike and your families, We were so saddened to read of Paul’s passing.
Paul was a highly respected gentleman in Asheville and in the hearts of many of us who knew him. We are happy to have had a short visit with him and with you, Lucia, just a few months ago and grateful to have known him these many years.
Asheville has lost a ‘cornerstone’. Mr. Greene and his shop were always there, as were my Grand Dad’s and Dad’s stores, Edwin and Scott Burge. May The Lord give the family peace and comfort in these times.
green family
Sorry for your loss
marvin hardin
Paula and family,
Sorry to hear of the passing of your father. I’m sure all the loving and happy memories will be traveling through your mind now and in the future. May Peace be with you and your family.
As an almost life-long member of Calvary Baptist Church I have enjoyed knowing and talking to Paul and his wife for many years and can assure the family that he will be missed by me as well as all others who knew him.
There has not been a day in our lives that we have not thought about how lucky Kyle was to have met Mr. Greene and Michael as an employee of a Christmas store in Asheville so many years ago.
He was asked to join them as an employee of their jewelry store, and so a passion for gems and jewelry began. Mr. Greene was so much more than a ‘boss’ for Kyle during those years. He was a mentor and a father figure when he needed it most. He showed him the ways of the business, but also the ways of life and how to be the best man possible.
Mr. Greene will forever be in the heart and mind of us all, and we are thankful for the man he was.
Paul and your family has meant so much to our community over the years. Thank you.
Our sympathy is extended to your family from our family.
Robert C. Kinser and family
I was so sorry to learn of Mr. Greene’s death. He was a true gentleman in every sense of the word. I had the privilege of serving in the Asheville Kiwanis Club with him for a number of years. I have so many wonderful memories of visiting the store growing up and how kind he was to me and my family. He was an exceptional man who made a difference in the lives of many people in Asheville and Western North Carolina. We shall not soon see a man of his caliber pass this way again. May God comfort you and your family at this difficult time.
MY DEEPEST SYMPATHY TO THE GREENE FAMILY…YOU ALL ARE IN MY PRAYERS.
Michael and family, I am sorry for the loss of your father. Your dad is in a much better place and as you heard me sing one time ‘ We are all just one step closser home.’ Our prayers go out to you and your family.
Dear Greene Family,
Mother and I send our condolences to you at this time. Mr. Greene was such a gentleman that it was always a pleasure to enter the store. Our prayers are with you.
We are so heartbroken to hear of Paul and his passing.
He was the epitomy of a gentleman and fine businessman. He will be missed.
My prayers are with your family may God give you strength and comfort!
Sincerely,
Judy Cody
I attended Calvary in the early 2000’s. I did not know Mr. Greene, but I saw him there on a regular basis. Calvary will miss him. May God bring comfort to his family.