Paul Edward Biondich

Paul Edward Biondich, 70, of Gilbert died of natural causes at his home on Thursday, March 28, 2024.   Paul was born June 22, 1953, to John & Marie (Majetich) Biondich. He was the youngest of three boys and grew up in Gilbert next door to his grandparents. He had fun with his brothers, cousins, and numerous neighborhood friends, and he enjoyed being at the family cabin on Lost Lake. When Paul was 10, his sister was born. At a young age, Paul was very interested in music and took piano & accordion lessons. He played his accordion with the Slovenian Men's Choraleers. After excelling with his accordion skills, his dad bought him a state-of-the-art Cordovox along with a van so that he could play & sing for wedding receptions, Sunday afternoon gigs at Bimbo's on Side Lake, and many other gatherings. His little sister was so excited and proud to see him as the Tin Man in the Wizard of Oz, dancing & singing on the GHS stage. 
  
 Paul was kind, friendly, fun, and well-liked. He graduated from Gilbert High School in 1971 and attended Mesabi Community College. He continued to entertain with his accordion, and everyone loved this- especially his parents. But he loved the music of the Beatles more and wanted to play guitar, and of course, grow his hair longer. After much frustration in figuring out his path in life, he enlisted in the U.S. Navy and served from 1975 – 1979. After returning home, he attended Hibbing AVTI using his GI Bill to earn a Construction Maintenance and Metal Trades diploma in 1982. In his mid-twenties he began to struggle with mental illness, and later in life, his family learned that he had schizophrenia. Despite these setbacks, he found work at the campground for the City of Gilbert and later helped people in town with maintaining their lawns and snow removal. Unfortunately, he no longer played music and he spent most of his years choosing to live a solitary life in his grandparents’ house next door to his parents. 
  
 Survivors include his brothers: Joe (Kathy) Biondich of Hutter and Steve (Pam) Biondich of Palo; sister Rosanne (Scott) Omersa of Gilbert; nieces and nephews, Jena (Aron) Levandowski, Joe Biondich, Katie Biondich, Steve (Kasey) Biondich, Carrie (Josh) Berndt, Shane Omersa, Casey (Megan) Omersa; great-nieces and nephews: Cora, Sofia, Nicholas, Lucas, Abbie, Nolan, Clay, Luna, and other extended family. He was preceded in death by his parents, John and Marie Biondich, aunts, uncles, & cousins. 
  
 Paul will be sadly missed by his family. Let us all listen to some Beatles songs in his honor and remember him as the kind, friendly, fun, and musically talented guy that he was. Remember the awesome Tin Man, too! 
  
 A private family burial will take place at a later date.