Paul Tobin Obituary, Death – Paul J. Tobin, who resided in Fort Myers, Florida, passed away on January 18, 2019. He was 53 years old. From 2006 to 2013, he served as Chief Executive Officer of the United Spinal Association. Shortly after United Spinal transitioned from being a regional organization to a national organization for people living with spinal cord injuries and disorders in 1946, Paul assumed his position as the organization’s leader. United Spinal had been a regional organization continuously since its inception in 1946. During his time in office, he instituted a number of significant reforms. Paul and his kid saw a man in a power wheelchair pushing him along the street with a young youngster sitting on his back.
Paul attended both Manhattan College and Fordham University, where he received degrees in engineering and a master’s degree in social work, respectively. He was a graduate of both institutions. Following his graduation from Manhattan College, Paul joined the United States Navy and attended officers’ training school.
He had attained the rank of Ensign before to suffering a spinal cord injury. Because of his quadriplegia, he was invited to join the Board of Directors of the Eastern Paralyzed Veterans Association (EPVA, which later became the United Spinal Association). After that, he became a member of the staff and worked in a variety of capacities, including recreation, VA benefits, hospital advocacy, and the direction of various projects.
Paul was responsible for the successful completion of the merger between the United Spinal Association and the National Spinal Cord Injury Association, as well as the acquisition of New Mobility magazine by the organization. At our very first Roll on Capitol Hill, he served as CEO. Due to the fact that he had been a patient at VA hospitals as well as a hospital liaison for EPVA, he was able to serve as an effective expert when it came to the health concerns of veterans, particularly those concerns that were associated with spinal cord injuries and mobility impairments.
We would like to extend our sympathies to Paul’s wife, Lorraine, and his son, Connor, on behalf of United Spinal’s staff, Board of Directors, and our 60,000 members. We are sorry for Paul’s passing. We applaud Paul for the determination and passion he has shown in enhancing the quality of life for persons with disabilities all throughout the world.