Paul Albert Storm, 85, of Sarasota, Florida, passed away on October 16, 2022, following a brief illness while visiting his beloved mountains of Weaverville, NC during the beautiful peak of fall foliage. Surviving to cherish his memory are his wife of 57 years, Mary Crawley Storm; their children, Erik Storm (Brenda) and Marc Storm; their grandchildren, Corinne, Erika, and Paula; his elder brother, Rev. Ralph Storm; and nieces, Naomi Howard (John) and Tracy Russell.
His wife, Mary, always thought of Paul as a modern day “man of la Mancha,” who followed his dreams, even if they seemed to be “impossible,” or perhaps at odds with the status quo. He always tried his best, and when that did not work, he always tried even harder. A man of faith, he truly lived up to the biblical exhortation, “Whatsoever thy hand findeth to do, do it with thy might” (Ecclesiastes 9:10).
A teacher for 40+ years, Paul specialized in music, choir, and biology (Miami Springs Senior High School, Dade County), and later served as a guidance counselor (Miami Sunset Senior High School, Dade County; Black Mountain High School, Owen, NC; Sarasota High School, Sarasota County). Paul also was the founder of the Phoenix Singers at Miami Springs High School and was always active in his church. Over his many years of service, he acted as Music/Choral Director at Immaculate Conception (Miami), St. Anthony (Ft. Lauderdale), St. Malachi (Ft. Lauderdale), St. Lawrence (Asheville), and St. Patrick (Sarasota), and played as organist for 50+ years. Paul led the Ecumenical Festival of Greater Miami, which brought together several choirs and orchestras to perform large-scale choral works, and later in life authored a book on Ecclesiastical music, a guide for cantors entitled “God’s Cheerleaders.”
Paul’s passions for education and music were equaled if not surpassed by his passion for orchids. An avid, self-taught orchid enthusiast, Paul founded Meke Aloha Orchids, developed multiple new orchid hybrids, and created numerous new species of Schomburgkia that have gone on to garner international fame and multiple awards. An internationally recognized expert, he lectured on Schomburgkia orchids across the country and beyond, including in Puerto Rico and multiple Caribbean islands.
Paul’s family is comforted knowing how many personal, and professional notes this one man carrying a song in his heart was able to reach – and how many were touched by hearing his powerful voice along the way.
A funeral Mass is scheduled for 10am at The Church of St. Patrick in Sarasota, FL. on Saturday December 3rd. Interment and reception to follow at Robert Toale & Sons, Palms Memorial Park, Sarasota.
In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations be made to the American Orchid Society, towards the annual Storm Schom Hybrid Award. Please visit the American Orchid Society website (https://www.aos.org/) or call them at 1-305-740-2010 and clarify that your donation is specifically for The Paul and Mary Storm Award.
To share a memory, please visit Paul’s memorial page here.
Paul Albert Storm, 85, of Sarasota, Florida, passed away on October 16, 2022, following a brief illness while visiting his beloved mountains of Weaverville, NC during the beautiful peak of fall foliage. Surviving to cherish his memory are his wife of 57 years, Mary Crawley Storm; their children, Erik Storm (Brenda) and Marc Storm; their grandchildren, Corinne, Erika, and Paula; his elder brother, Rev. Ralph Storm; and nieces, Naomi Howard (John) and Tracy Russell.
His wife, Mary, always thought of Paul as a modern day “man of la Mancha,” who followed his dreams, even if they seemed to be “impossible,” or perhaps at odds with the status quo. He always tried his best, and when that did not work, he always tried even harder. A man of faith, he truly lived up to the biblical exhortation, “Whatsoever thy hand findeth to do, do it with thy might” (Ecclesiastes 9:10).
A teacher for 40+ years, Paul specialized in music, choir, and biology (Miami Springs Senior High School, Dade County), and later served as a guidance counselor (Miami Sunset Senior High School, Dade County; Black Mountain High School, Owen, NC; Sarasota High School, Sarasota County). Paul also was the founder of the Phoenix Singers at Miami Springs High School and was always active in his church. Over his many years of service, he acted as Music/Choral Director at Immaculate Conception (Miami), St. Anthony (Ft. Lauderdale), St. Malachi (Ft. Lauderdale), St. Lawrence (Asheville), and St. Patrick (Sarasota), and played as organist for 50+ years. Paul led the Ecumenical Festival of Greater Miami, which brought together several choirs and orchestras to perform large-scale choral works, and later in life authored a book on Ecclesiastical music, a guide for cantors entitled “God’s Cheerleaders.”
Paul’s passions for education and music were equaled if not surpassed by his passion for orchids. An avid, self-taught orchid enthusiast, Paul founded Meke Aloha Orchids, developed multiple new orchid hybrids, and created numerous new species of Schomburgkia that have gone on to garner international fame and multiple awards. An internationally recognized expert, he lectured on Schomburgkia orchids across the country and beyond, including in Puerto Rico and multiple Caribbean islands.
Paul’s family is comforted knowing how many personal, and professional notes this one man carrying a song in his heart was able to reach – and how many were touched by hearing his powerful voice along the way.
A funeral Mass is scheduled for 10am at The Church of St. Patrick in Sarasota, FL. on Saturday December 3rd. Interment and reception to follow at Robert Toale & Sons, Palms Memorial Park, Sarasota.
In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations be made to the American Orchid Society, towards the annual Storm Schom Hybrid Award. Please visit the American Orchid Society website (https://www.aos.org/) or call them at 1-305-740-2010 and clarify that your donation is specifically for The Paul and Mary Storm Award.
To share a memory, please visit Paul’s memorial page here.
Meke Aloha Orchids is a family-owned hobby nursery which specializes in Schomburgkia (Myrmecophila/ Schombo-Laelias and their hybrids).
We also are a leading breeder and collector of Schom hybrids.
Please be patient when you visit our Gallery page. It contains over 400 images of blooms, so it does take a few extra beats to load. We think it’s worth waiting for. Thank you!
Meke Aloha Orchids is a family-owned hobby nursery which specializes in Schomburgkia (Myrmecophila/ Schombo-Laelias and their hybrids).
We also are a leading breeder and collector of Schom hybrids.
MekeAloha Orchids is currently unable to take orders at this time.
