Hyime Paley

Hyime Paley of Portland Connecticut passed away in Palm Beach Gardens Florida on October 14, 2023, at age 91.  Hyime was the epitome of a “can do, should do, and will do” person.  He had an abundance of energy and optimism and loved helping others.  Have an idea, a challenge, some type of adventure?  Hyime was there to help you out and game to go along.  He was a true lover of life.

After emigrating from Poland and living in New York City for a few years, Hyime’s parents and 6 older siblings left the city for new beginnings in New England.  According to family lore, the train the Paley family was on stopped in Portland at sunset one Friday evening and they got off to keep the Sabbath.  After finding a welcoming Jewish community in Middletown, the Paleys stayed put and made Portland their home.

Hyime’s father, Sol Paley, was man with many talents. He was a shoemaker by trade but after the Great Depression became a farmer and butcher.  Hyime’s mother, Rifka raised 8 children, provided homemade meals to everyone working on the farm, and was the most loving, kind, and strong woman imaginable.

In their teens, Hyime and his brother and best friend Ralph “Mickey” Paley spent many days raising good-natured hell after working on the farm. They got an idea to step out on their own. With no formal business experience or backing but boundless energy and optimism, they pooled their cash, bought a straight-job tractor, and started business buying and selling hay.  Through long days, long nights, and endless hard work and determination, Mickey and Hyime grew that single tractor into a thriving trucking business transporting hay and wood shavings throughout Canada, New York, and New England.

At 19, at a Congregation Adath Israel Dance, Hyime met the love of his life, Reva Russman. Hyime was a dashing young man with charm, a smile, and a car, and Reva was an innocent college girl with a doctor for a father.  Hyime’s charisma prevailed, and he and Reva got married in a double wedding with her twin sister (and closest pal) Naomi “Mimi” Russman and Marvin Hoberman.  Hyime and Reva had a fun, loving, supportive marriage for over 50 years until Reva’s passing in 2008.  Reva and Hyime leave 3 grown children, at least 2 of which gave Hy and Reva a run for their money in their youth.

Hyime was a born salesman and loved buying and selling.  Whether convincing Reva’s parents to let a farm boy carry off their daughter, a customer to take another load of hay, or friends, family, and customers to buy way too much Christmas fruitcake to support the charitable work of Civitan, Hyime reveled in making a deal. 

With family, in business, and beyond, Hyime gave to, helped, and did for others.  He loved the Red Sox and enjoyed treating others to a day in Boston and a night at the park.  Many a guest returned from these outings delighted with not only a great day of baseball and cheer, but with funny stories of Hyime taking them to a game with no tickets at all, just with confidence he could make a deal on Yawkey Way.

Hyime is survived by his three children and their spouses, Mark and Luanne Paley, Stewart Paley and Nathalie Martin, and Pamela Paley.  He is also survived by 6 grandchildren, 2 great granddaughters, and many loving nieces and nephews.  He leaves his younger sister Pearl Pearloff, sister-in-law Sara Paley, and brothers-in-law Marvin Hoberman and Lenny Russman.  Hyime also leaves his loving partner of 15 years, Debbie Rudman of Brookline Massachusetts, and countless others whose path he’s crossed and days he’s brightened.

Hyime is remembered with love, respect, and admiration.

In lieu of flowers, etc., please make donations to the charity or cause of your personal choice.  A graveside service for Hyime will be held on Tuesday, October 17th, at 11:00 am in the Congregation Adath Israel Cemetery, 714 Pine Street, Middletown.  To share memories or send condolences to the family, please visit www.doolittlefuneralservice.com.

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