Paul J. Kotkas, 56, passed away peacefully at home, on Wednesday, September 2, 2020. He was born on February 11, 1964 in Montreal, Canada, to Juri and Kai (Sander) Kotkas. Paul grew up in Orange County, California and moved to Lebanon, PA in 1979 when he was 15 years old. Paul graduated from Cedar Crest High School in 1982.

After high school, he attended Millersville University and discovered his love for tinkering with cars. 16 years ago, Paul converted his 2-car garage into a “unique” shop where he could work on his cars and his boats. It was a hobby that he thoroughly enjoyed. He worked in the automobile business as a salesman and then as a finance and insurance manager for most of his adult years. Finally, Paul acquired his dream and purchased the Landmark Restaurant, Tony’s Mining Company Restaurant, Cornwall, in 1998. The restaurant was previously owned by his mother-in-law, Jane R. Cek.

Paul had a love for the outdoors. He looked forward to every opportunity to fish, particularly on his bass boat with his lifelong friend, Scott Long, of Elizabethtown. Paul fished the east coast from the Florida Keys to the St. Lawrence River and when the opportunity arose, he headed west to Las Vagas to one of his favorite fishing spots, Lake Mead. His wife, Jean, often accompanied Paul on those fishing trips.

Paul is survived by his wife, Jean (Cek) Kotkas, his mother, Kai (Sander) Kotkas of West Vancouver, BC; his sister, Lia (Kotkas) Bensing, and her husband Scott of Lake Tahoe, NV; step-son, Daniel Lineaweaver, and his wife, Melissa of Jonestown, PA; grandson, Ian Lineaweaver of Harrisburg, PA; brother-in-law, Tony Cek, and his wife, Betty of Lebanon, PA; aunt, Tiiu (Sander) Fuller, and her husband, Michael of Mont Tremblant, Quebec; a cousin; and several nieces and nephews.

A “Celebration of Life” may be held at a later date, at the convenience of the family. If you wish to attend, please sign the guest book. In lieu of flowers, the family requests memorial donations be made to the American Diabetes Association or the PA Fish & Game Commission. Thompson Funeral Home, Inc. is entrusted with the arrangements. Please share your memories with the family at our online guest book atĀ thompsonfuneralhomelebanon.com