Rhinesmith, Paul F., age 88, of Dade City, passed away at Gulfside Hospice in Zephyrhills on June 14, 2021. He was born on January 25, 1933 to parents Mearle and Adele Rhinesmith in Wanaque, NJ.

He worked on his familys dairy before enlisting in the U.S. Army serving in the 82nd Airborne Division. After moving his mom and dad from New Jersey to Dade City in 1953, Paul worked at the A&P Grocery in Dade City before taking a job at Coleman and Ferguson Funeral Home in 1957. He attended and graduated from the Academy of Funeral Service in New York where he was awarded the faculty plaque for highest scholastic achievement and was given the Mu Sigma Alpha Key from the Fraternity of Funeral Service. Paul worked at Coleman and Ferguson Funeral Home from 1957 until he retired in 1997. Over those 40-years, Paul served hundreds of families during their time of need.

He was an active member of the Dade City Rotary Club for 51-years with a perfect attendance record. As a major donor, he was bestowed the Paul Harris Fellow Award. Paul was an avid outdoorsman and never missed a chance to fish. His love of waterfowl hunting developed into creating life-like decoys from wood. Many of his works are displayed in homes and businesses around Dade City. A talented craftsman, he demonstrated his traditional woodworking skills at the Pioneer Florida Museum and Village in Dade City for many years. Using only hand tools, Paul created exquisite pieces of period furniture for his family and friends. As an enduring legacy, he funded the construction of two buildings at the Museum, a woodwright shop, and a blacksmith shop and filled them with his lifetime collection of antique tools.

Paul was preceded in death by his parents. Survivors include his wife of 58-years Beverly Ann (Bolt) Rhinesmith, his children Philip Rhinesmith (Robin), Ruth Ann Stubbs (Wesley), and Lydia Rhinesmith (Terrance), his sister Jean Drew; 4 granddaughters; Becca Stubbs, Rachel Stubbs, Cory Rhinesmith, Ariana Toro; and several nieces and nephews.

A service will be held at Hodges Family Funeral Home in Dade City at 3:00 PM on Thursday, June 17, 2021, followed by the burial at Floral Memory Gardens at 4:00 PM. The family will receive friends one hour prior to service time at the funeral home. In lieu of flowers, please consider donating to the Pioneer Florida Museum and Village in Dade City.

Visitation

Hodges Family Funeral Home & Cremation Center

Thursday, June 17, 2021 2:00 PM - 3:00 PM 11441 US HIGHWAY 301 Dade City, Florida 33525 Directions Funeral Service

Hodges Family Funeral Home & Cremation Center

Thursday, June 17, 2021 3:00 PM 11441 US HIGHWAY 301 Dade City, Florida 33525 Directions Committal Service

Floral Memory Gardens

Thursday, June 17, 2021 4:00 PM 37701 Clinton Avenue Dade City, Florida 33525 Directions