HANCEVILLE – An educator for more than 35 years, coach, businessman, tireless volunteer and beloved community member has passed away. Robert Michael "Bob" Palys died Saturday at Grandview Hospital at the age of 68.
Palys graduated from Bishop Turner High School in Buffalo, New York in 1966.
He continued his education, coming into the Cullman area by attending St. Bernard College, earning his degree in 1970.
Palys became a coach, starting at Welti Junior High, then working his way to Fairview High School and Holly Pond High School. He coached the sport of basketball for 21 years.
Besides coaching, Palys got involved in the game as an official. He created the Cullman Umpires Association in 1971. Through time, Palys became recognized as the lead official of his crew on Friday nights for high school football.
He officiated baseball and basketball, dealing with youth leagues as well as getting a chance to call in the collegiate ranks.
Palys founded the Key Club at Holly Pond High School, winning the international award twice and competing in the state event for 22 consecutive years. Even though he was retired, he still volunteered as the Key Club sponsor at the school, leading the club's community projects and fundraisers for Children's of Alabama.
A huge honor for Palys was his induction into the Cullman County Sports Hall of Fame in 2014.
After getting out of education, Palys opened a sports award shop called The Awards Palace, located at 425 Second Avenue SW in Cullman. The Awards Palace has been a provider of awards for many years for championship events in the Cullman County school system.
Most recently, Palys served as the Alabama District governor for the Alabama Kiwanis Club.
From his obituary at www.cullmanheritage.com:
Born, April 13, 1948 in Buffalo, New York, he was the son of the late Walter Palys and the late Frances Pyc Palys.
He was an educator for over 35 years and former owner of the Awards Palace. Mr. Palys made it his life goal to help others. He, in association with the Alabama District Key Clubs, has raised over $1 million for Children’s Hospital. He was the Holly Pond Key Club Advisor as well as a member of the Alabama District Key Club Adult Board. He was a recipient of the Key of Honor, the highest award given by Key Club International. He was a member of Cullman Kiwanis for 18 years where he served as club President, Secretary and most recently the Alabama District Kiwanis Governor. Having coached and officiated for over 20 years, he was a proud member of the Cullman County Sports Hall of Fame. In all he did, he made caring his way of life.
He was predeceased by son, Matt Palys, and sister Ceil Palys.
Surviving are his wife Melba Perry Palys, son, Andy (Becky) Palys, grandchildren, James and Kaitlyn Palys, brother, Rev. Dan Palys, a host of nieces, nephews, family and friends.
Funeral services for Palys will be Monday at 2 p.m. at Welti Cumberland Presbyterian Church. He will lie in state at the church from 1 until 2 p.m. with burial in an adjoining cemetery. Visitation is today, Sunday, March 26, from 5 until 9 p.m. at Cullman Heritage Funeral Home.
In lieu of flowers, the family requests that donations be made to Children's Hospital of Alabama in the name of Key Club.
