Paul Richard Truchan, 78, of the Bronx, New York, passed away at home on July 20, 2026. Born on May 7, 1948, in the Throggs Neck section of the Bronx, he was the beloved son of the late Alexander and Elsie Truchan. The values of hard work, perseverance and family that shaped his early years became the foundation of his character throughout his life.
He attended the City College of New York, where he earned a degree in Chemical Engineering and met the love of his life, Alfonsina. He later received a master’s degree in Environmental Engineering from The Cooper Union and proudly served six years in the National Guard. Paul went on to dedicate thirty-eight years to the Environmental Protection Agency, where his work reflected the values that guided his life — a deep respect for the natural world and a commitment to preserving it for future generations.
At heart, however, he was an explorer — a man of boundless curiosity and quiet adventure. Travel was one of his great passions, not simply for the destinations themselves, but for the opportunity to experience the world in all its vastness and majesty. He found joy in its sweeping landscapes, natural wonders, ancient histories, and vibrant cultures. Whether crossing oceans or wandering unfamiliar roads, he believed there was always more to see, more to understand and more to appreciate. He approached both his travels and his life with humility, respect, and an enduring spirit of discovery.
Yet for all his accomplishments and adventures, Paul’s greatest passion was his family. They were his greatest joy and his life’s purpose. He was a remarkable role model whose example taught the values of discipline, honesty, lifelong learning, and selflessness. Possessing a quiet strength that steadied those around him, he never sought recognition for himself, yet his generosity, compassion and respect for others left a genuine and lasting impression on everyone who knew him. Those blessed to have him in their lives will carry forward the lessons he lived every day: to lead with kindness and integrity, to approach life with patience and optimism, to seek meaningful experiences over materiality and to hold family above all else.
He was preceded in death by his parents Alexander and Elsie and his sister Joanna. He is survived by his loving wife of 51 years, Alfonsina; his sons, Christopher and his wife Josephine, and Mark and his wife Jessica; his six treasured grandchildren, Isabella, Victoria, Juliet, Abigail, Charlotte and Jackson; his brother Steve and his wife Wendy; his sister Victoria and her husband Jim; his sister-in-law Pia and many nieces and nephews.
A funeral service will be held on August 6 at 11 a.m. at Saint Clare of Assisi Church, 1027 Rhinelander Avenue, Bronx, NY 10461.
In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to charities that Paul passionately supported and cared deeply about:
•  National Wildlife Federation
- Select “In Memory” as the tribute type.
- Enter the name of the person you’re honoring
- UNICEF
- Check “Dedicate this donation.”
- Select “In Memory Of”
•  American Lung Association
- Make a one-time memorial gift
- Select “Dedicate this Donation
I am so saddened by Paul’s passing. I worked with him for many years at Region 2 at EPA. He was a mentor, and friend to many of us. He always very giving of his time and expertise, and was one of the most knowledgeable people I knew. More than anything it was clear how much he cherished his family, which he frequently spoke about. My thoughts and prayers are with his family.
Paul was a wonderful person! I am blessed to have known him for the past 43 years. He was a great husband and father. I will remember all the good times we had together with our children and the memories we made together, and how I made him laugh
Dear Alfie, Chris, Mark and Family,
Although we are far away , we will hold you close in our thoughts and in our hearts today and always. Paul will be deeply missed.
We are deeply saddened by the passing of Paul.
Paul was
… a great guy with a quick wit and a zest for life
… a fellow traveller on numerous outings & trips with our family and his, creating life long memories
… an exemplary role model for his sons, grandchildren and extended family, leaving a lasting legacy
… a wonderful partner to his wife, Alfie, committing more than 50 years to each other
We will miss Paul very much and are blessed and grateful to have had him in our lives.
We extend our deepest condolences to Alfie, Chris, Mark and the whole family.
Our thoughts and prayers are with you always,
Dolores & Paul and Family
Paul you left your mark on so many of us as a compassionate, caring person and a consummate colleague to those of us who were honored to work at your side at the EPA. Your dedication to EPA’s ideals and service to the country you loved was inspirational to generations of new hires whom you mentored. We miss you buddy and thank you for being you.
Alfie and Family, I was truly fortunate to have had the opportunity to work with Paul, on and off, for nearly 30 years. Over all those years, I came to deeply value his friendship, his wisdom, and his advice and counsel. Paul was one of those rare people you always knew you could count on—someone who was dependable, thoughtful, and always willing to lend a helping hand.
When Paul retired, it was a very bittersweet day. I was genuinely happy for him and knew he was looking forward to having more time to enjoy the things he had always wanted to do. At the same time, I knew that we would miss having our cherished colleague and friend with us each day. His presence, his friendship, and the many contributions he made over the years left a lasting impression on all of us.
Please know that we were all truly better for having known Paul. I feel grateful to have shared so many years with him and to have had the privilege of calling him a colleague and a friend. He will be remembered fondly and missed more than words can express.
May Paul rest in peace, and may his memory always be a blessing to those who knew him.
I met Paul in junior high school (JHS 101 Bx). We both went to Christopher Columbus HS, where he was the Captain of the Track Team. He was the vice-president of the GO (General Organization) in our senior year.
At CCNY we both mourned the death of our mutual friend, Larry Stern who volunteered to serve, and died in Vietnam.
Shortly after meeting Alfie, Paul shared that Alfie was the love of his life.
I was honored to serve as Paul’s best man at Alfie & Paul’s wedding.
Paul was loved by all, and will be forever an example of how one should live their life.
My husband and I would meet Paul and Alfie once in awhile walking at Orchard Beach and Glen Island, and even though we just knew Paul from the neighborhood, we always had a nice chat about our walks, our grandchildren, and always food! Joe and I want to offer our condolences to Alfie and her extended family. You are in our thoughts and prayers.