Paul James Hollis, 54 of Gainesville, Florida died Saturday, January 23, 2016 at the University of Florida-Shands Hospital.  Paul was born in Glen Cove Hospital, New York and was raised in Garden City, Long Island.  His parents, Dr. William Carroll Hollis Jr. and Regina “Jean” (McVeety), both deceased, were long-time residents of Garden City Long Island.

Paul was a 1979 graduate of Garden City High School and for four years was a star athlete on the varsity lacrosse team.  He also played football and was a member of the wrestling team.  After graduating, Paul advanced his education at Princeton University.  Paul played lacrosse during his entire career at Princeton and was awarded status as an All-Ivy attackman.  He graduated with a BS in Political Science, Class of 1984. Following graduation, Paul played lacrosse professionally in Adelaide, Australia.  Upon returning to the United States, Wall Street beckoned and he became a Yankee bond trader in New York City and had a career that spanned twenty years.  Then Paul embarked upon a second career, getting a Masters in Education, from Molloy College in Rockville Centre on Long Island, New York. At the time of his death, Paul was teaching AP Economics and AP Government at Eastside High School in Gainesville where he was the Head Lacrosse Coach as well.  Paul was renowned for his creativity and talent in sparking interest in the driest of topics.  He utilized elements of pop culture, artistry and commentary to stimulate and lay groundwork for understanding subjects as varied as Watergate, the Rwandan genocide, the Supreme Court and the mechanics of the financial markets. When Paul commenced coaching in Gainesville at Eastside High School, lacrosse had only recently been introduced to its sports roster.  For the three seasons Paul coached, the improvement was remarkable with the team multiplying their wins impressively and going to Districts three times in a row.  Paul’s reputation on and off the field engendered respect and admiration.  From the Florida Lacrosse News: “Eastside Head Coach Paul Hollis is widely respected as one of the good guys on the Gainesville lacrosse scene and his guys reflected that.” Intelligent, honorable, kind, loving, positive and strong are his most obvious characteristics. A Memorial Service and Celebration of Paul’s life was held Wednesday, January 27, 2016 at St. Andrew’s Episcopal Church in Gainesville.  Plans are underway for a Memorial Celebration in Paul’s hometown, Garden City Long Island.