DL Capt. Paul Michael Borgatti

 

~ IN MEMORY ~

Military veteran, DL Capt. Paul Michael Borgatti

September 23, 1941 ~ January 22, 2025

 

Retired Delta Air Lines pilot Captain Paul Michael Borgatti, age 83, passed peacefully surrounded by family on January 22nd. Paul is survived by his wife Eleanor, and by his children and their families.  He joined Delta Air Lines 02-03-1969 and retired in 2001.  Paul was based 031/ATL at the time of his retirement.

For those who may wish to send a personal note, I see the family’s address listed in whitepages as

1053 Whitetail Dr, Mandeville, LA 70448

PCN memorial site: 

 

https://obituaries.nola.com/obituary/paul-borgatti-1092621138

 

Paul Michael Borgatti died peacefully surrounded by family on January 22, 2025. He was born in Naugatuck, Connecticut. He was the oldest child of Catherine and Hugo Borgatti. He is survived by his loving wife of 65 years, Eleanor Borgatti; his children, Tina Risher (William), Mike Borgatti (Katherine) and Maria Maginnis (David); his sister, Joan Bean, and brother, John Borgatti, eight grandchildren and six great grandchildren.

 

Paul graduated from St. Basil's Preparatory School in Connecticut and a graduate of the University of Connecticut. He earned his student pilot certificate in 1962 and began his journey of flight. He served in the Air Force and Louisiana Air National Guard and accumulated over 2300 hours of flying time before beginning his flying career of over 32 years with Delta Airlines.

 

He served in the Vietnam War from 1966-1967 and flew over 250 combat missions with over 600 hours of combat flying time. While in Vietnam he was awarded the purple heart, two silver stars, two distinguished flying crosses and twelve air medals.

 

During his tenure at Delta Airlines, he served on the Board of Directors of the Airline Pilot Association. He flew all over the world and finished his career as a captain of the Boeing 777.

 

He served as the Young Eagles coordinator for the Experimental Aircraft Association (EAA) Chapter 697. He flew over 200 students with the Young Eagles program giving them their first experiences of aviation. Paul had over 25,000 hours of flying time.

 

Aviation gave him the opportunity to meet people all over the world. He met presidents John F. Kennedy, Ronald Regan and George W. Bush. Others include Bob Hope, Harrison Ford and Joe DiMaggio as well as famous pilots like Chuck Yeager, Barron Hilton and Cliff Robertson. He spent hours with Bob Hoover talking about flying the F-100. He also flew with Francis "Gabby" Gabreski, who shot down over 25 planes during WWII. Flying gave him the opportunity to be interviewed on the 100th anniversary of Naval Aviation and was able to talk about the famous A-1E Skyraider, or as the Navy calls it, the AD-6, which he flew in Vietnam. He was given the honorary Navy Wings of Gold. Paul received the prestigious FAA Wright Brothers Award for 50 years of flight and was always ready to give encouragement and inspiration to help anyone begin their journey in aviation.

 

His greatest love was being with his wife and family. Together they had many wonderful adventures, which included traveling the world and supporting their children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren in all of their various activities. He was a man of faith and principle who led by example in everything he did. No honor was greater than being a loving husband, father, grandfather, great-grandfather and friend.

 

Paul was an active member at Our Lady of the Lake Parish in Mandeville, serving many charitable organizations, including the Men's Club, the Knights of Columbus (Grand Knight and Faithful Navigator), and Eucharist Ministry to the local hospitals.

 

He loved his faith, his family, and his freedom, which he always reminded us that freedom does not come free but at the cost of young men and women that serve our country to protect that freedom. His enthusiasm, love of life and adventure will be greatly missed.

 

Relatives and friends are invited to attend services on Friday, February 14, 2025, at St. Joseph's Abbey Church at 2:00 PM. Visitation will be from 1:00 PM.-1:45 PM, followed by the Rosary from 1:45P.M.-2:00 PM. and a Funeral Mass at 2:00 PM. Interment will be private.

 

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the following:

Experimental Aircraft Association Chapter 697

℅ Randall Turner, Treasurer

224 Robinhood Dr., Covington LA 70433