Paul P. "Ozzie" Osborne

Paul P. Osborne, affectionately known simply as "Ozzie", passed away peacefully on November 25, 2025 at Robert Packer Hospital in Sayre, PA with his beloved wife, Ellen, by his side. He was 78. Ozzie faced his battle with cancer with unwavering courage, steadfast strength and his trademark good humor.

Born in 1947 at The Hospital in Sidney to the late Elsie (Pitel) and Thomas Osborne, Ozzie was a lifelong Sidney resident. He graduated with the Sidney High School Class of 1965 and later dedicated 34 years of service to the Brace Residential Center, retiring as a YDA III in 2008.

Ozzie's love of community and sport shone brightly throughout his life. He was a proud member of the Tri-County Bowling Hall of Fame and an honorary member of the MacDonald Hose Company of the Sidney Fire Department. As a teenager, he worked as a rink monitor and floor guard at the Sidney Roller Rink. Over the years, he enjoyed countless hours bowling at Twentieth Century Lanes, playing softball and canoeing in the General Clinton Regatta Relay Races as part of the "Paddlin' Pears" team. He also found great joy in golf, deer hunting and all things NASCAR.

In 1983, Ozzie married Ellen and together they became a creative team. They dreamed up imaginative party themes for the Twentieth Century Lanes in Sidney and went on to craft elaborate foam displays for their annual camping spot at Pocono Raceway along with the restaurant deck at Club 55 in Sidney. They even created custom signs for NASCAR favorites Dale Earnhardt Jr., Jeff Burton, Larry McReynolds, Darrell Waltrip as well as Amy Earnhardt, Steve Letarte, Rutledge Wood and Tony Kornheiser. Their painstaking cutting, carving, and painting - often beginning a year in advance - produced some of their most cherished memories.

Ozzie especially looked forward to the NYS Annual Volunteer Firefighters Bowling Tournaments with friends, as well as National ABC Tournaments in Syracuse, Las Vegas, Reno, Jacksonville, Niagara Falls and Baltimore. He also loved traveling to NASCAR races with Ellen, visiting tracks in Daytona Beach, Las Vegas, Pocono, Martinsville, Richmond, and Watkins Glen. For several years, he enjoyed annual RV trips to Buffalo Bills games but in his final days, he smiled watching his beloved Dallas Cowboys finally win a game.

Ozzie will be lovingly remembered by his wife of 42 years, Ellen ("Ellie"), his cherished niece Dauna (Richard) Brimmer of Garrattsville, NY and his closest, dearest friend, Merritt St. John of Sidney. Ozzie was deeply loved by his wife's family, the Jeraulds, and he treasured every wild, joyful, unforgettable moments spent with them. He was predeceased in death by his brother, Thomas J. Osborne, of Palmyra, VA.

Ozzie's sunny disposition, quick wit and boundless humor made him a friend to all. His antics kept everyone laughing and he will be fondly remembered by the many lives he touched. In keeping with Ozzie's wishes - and in celebration of a life filled with love, laughter and a dash of mischief - a party in his honor will be held next summer, with details to be announced.

Love ya', Oz.