Paul Thomas Waddington

Paul Thomas Waddington, 68, of Pennsville. NJ, passed away on Feb 6, 2025. He was born on February 14, 1957, in Mannington, NJ. Paul is survived by his children Doreen Merrick Liggons (Taveres) of SC and Laura Merrick of Scarborough, Maine, Aaron Merrick (Marion) of Georgia, and their mother Donna Tibbetts Waddington, the love of his life. Grandchildren Jordan Merrick, Casarra Abeasi, Natasha Liggons Visitacion (Raymond), Kiarra Liggons Marzan (Fernando), and Terri Lynn Young who brought 3 great grandchildren and 2 great-great grandchildren. Other great grandchildren Lillian Marzan, Celeste Marzan, Althea Marzan, and Aurelia Visitacion. Siblings, Richard Waddington Jr (Carol) of Pennsville, NJ, Joanna Neff (Bob) of Altamonte Springs, FL, Merllyn McKeich (Joe) of Indiantown, FL, Sandie Dyling (Gary) of Pennsville, NJ as well a multitude of nieces and nephews, greats and great-greats, and a large extended family and friends who will miss him dearly. Paul was predeceased by his parents Richard and Mary (Brainard) Waddington, sister Beth Waddington Pont, brother John Waddington, nephew Tommy Waddington, and niece Rebecca Waddington. Paul led an adventurous life. He was born and bred to be a land surveyor and learned the family business throughout his childhood. After graduating from PMHS, he attended Salem Community College before joining the military. Paul spent 5 years in the Navy and was proud of his service. He traveled the world and had many stories that he loved to share. He loved to describe the places he had been, the people he met, and of course the antics of him and his Navy buddies. He received many commendations during his Naval service. Paul went on to relocate to Maine with his family and worked at Bath Iron Works. Paul later relocated to Jacksonville, FL where he tried his hand at a Lawncare Business, did some land surveying, but he truly enjoyed driving a taxi and becoming an East Coast truck driver for Source Display. He eventually made his way back to his beloved Salem County. He often marveled about Salem County and gave an appreciation to family and friends who failed to see the uniqueness. Paul loved coffee and he was a great storyteller. When he combined the two, the captive listener would be in for a real treat. Sometimes he would start laughing during a joke or a story he was telling, and he would get to laughing so hard that you couldn’t help but laugh with him, even if the joke wasn’t funny. He just had that effect on people. He could make a long story even longer and could make a short story into a novel. If you know, you know. We all loved his stories. Some we heard a million times, others we were just getting to learn. He was baptized by Pastor Jonathan Kershner of First Baptist Church in Salem and later attended Sharptown Church. He loved spending time with his family up to camp, playing dominoes, cards, or almost any board game. He loved old movies, tv shows, Louis Lamore books, and loved watching the Eagles football games. He will be truly missed by all. A military graveside service will be held on Wednesday April 9th, 2025, at 11:00 AM at Finn's Point National Cemetery 454 Fort Mott Rd, Pennsville, NJ 08070. A celebration of Paul's life will follow at The Pennsville VFW Post 1952 located at 171 S Broadway, Pennsville, NJ 08070.

Paul Thomas Waddington

February 14, 1957 - February 6, 2025