March 14, 2006--Paul J. Andrisani, 59, of Wilmington, died March 12 at home, after a courageous battle with cancer.

A 1968 graduate of the University of Delaware, he received his MBA at UD in 1970. He served as a member of the University of Delaware Alumni Association Board, and in 1999, he was inducted into the University's Alumni Wall of Fame in recognition of his professional and public service excellence.

He earned his doctoral degree in business administration at Ohio State University in 1974 and began a distinguished 30-year career as a professor at Temple University in Philadelphia in 1975.

In addition to being a full professor specializing in human resource management and labor market economics, Dr. Andrisani was director of the Center for Labor and Human Resource Studies in the Richard J. Fox School of Business and Management at Temple University. During his tenure at Temple, he also served as director of the Bureau of Economic and Business Research, co-director of the Center for Competitive Government, Department Chair, as associate dean, president of the Collegial Assembly, Faculty Senate Steering Committee, a member of the advisory board of the Beasley School of Law and a member of several subcommittees of Temple University's Board of Trustees.

An avid researcher, author and lecturer, Dr. Andrisani focused on the labor market experiences--the employment, unemployment, earnings and occupational attainments--of various special groups in the American economy, namely older workers, minorities, women, veterans and the disabled. He conducted considerable research and authored numerous articles and books on the economics of discrimination in employment and credit markets, as well as on the various economic impacts of public vs. private sector economics, including the Causes and Consequences of Public and Private Sector Restructuring Efforts and The Academic and Economic Returns to Military Service. His research has been published in numerous academic journals that specialize in labor market issues, and has been presented to various academic societies, professional associations and government agencies.

In addition, Dr. Andrisani testified before Congress and lectured extensively throughout the U.S. and abroad, including Japan, Italy, Portugal and Canada. In his business pursuits, he served as a consultant to numerous Fortune 500 companies, government agencies and government entities.

Dr. Andrisani served as president of the board of trustees of St. Anthony's Educational Endowment Fund, as president of the board of directors of West End Neighborhood House and as a member of the State of Delaware Economic and Financial Advisory Committee.

Among the many awards and distinctions that he received for his community service and charitable activities were the Catholic Charities' "Thomas J. Reese Award for Outstanding Service to the Community"; the West End Neighborhood House Leadership Award, after successfully leading a $3.5 million capital campaign; the St. Anthony of Padua Parish Medal of Honor for Volunteer Service; and of being named Wilmington's Man of the Year by the Knights of Columbus.

He is survived by his wife of 38 years, Barbra Frank Andrisani; his son and daughter-in-law, Nathan and Allyson Andrisani, of Newtown Square, Pa., and their children, Alexa, Olivia and Sophia; his son and daughter-in-law, Damian and Jennifer Andrisani, of Hockessin, and their son, Paul; his daughter and son-in-law, Danielle and Michael Nowaczyk, of Wilmington; his sister, Maria Andrisani Kelly, of Pike Creek, and her sons, Christopher and Terence; his brother and sister-in-law, Joseph and Mary Andrisani, of Hockessin, and their sons, Matthew, Timothy and Joseph; and his sister-in-law and brother-in-law, Cynthia Frank Burke and William Burke, of Weston, Fla., and their daughter, Kristen.

Friends may call on the family from 5:30-9 p.m., Wednesday, March 15, at St. Anthony of Padua Church, 901 North DuPont St., Wilmington, where a funeral service to celebrate his life will be held at 10:30 a.m., Thursday, March 16.

In lieu of flowers, the family suggests donations to St. Anthony of Padua Church; or to the Ministry of Caring, 506 North Church St., Wilmington, DE 19805.