Community Rallies for Benefit Dinner Honoring Fallen Firefighter Paul Mickolick
MEDINA, Ohio — On Saturday, August 30, 2025, the community will gather at Williams on the Lake, 787 Lafayette Road in Medina, to honor the life and sacrifice of Lieutenant Paul Charles Mickolick, a 43-year-old firefighter-paramedic who died in the line of duty earlier this year.
The Benefit Dinner, hosted by Lodi Fire and Rescue, will run from 6 p.m. to 10 p.m., with dinner served at 7 p.m. Tickets are $45 per person (presale only), and no tickets will be sold at the door.
Guests will be treated to a hearty dinner featuring chicken parmesan, meatballs, pasta with marinara and Alfredo sauce, garlic bread, salad, desserts, beer, wine, and soda (liquor available at a cash bar). The evening will also include raffle baskets, side boards, and door prizes as friends, colleagues, and supporters from across the state come together for a night of remembrance and support.
The benefit will raise funds for Rachel Mickolick and the couple’s two young children, Connor and Elise, as they continue to navigate life after the loss of their husband and father.
Mickolick, a dedicated first responder, was fatally injured on April 18, 2025, while assisting at the scene of a disabled vehicle on Stratton Road in Congress Township. As he rendered aid, Mickolick and another man were struck by a Cadillac that veered off the road into a ditch, colliding with the disabled vehicle. Mickolick was rushed to Cleveland Clinic Lodi Hospital, where he was pronounced deceased. The other victim, 33-year-old Tyle James Green, was airlifted with serious injuries.
Before joining the Town & Country Fire District full-time in 2022, Mickolick served 16 years as a flight paramedic with the Cleveland Clinic. Known for his relentless work ethic, he earned an award at the department’s 2024 banquet for running the most emergency calls of the year, finally surpassing the department chief.
His colleagues describe him as a man who “lived to serve others” — a devoted husband and father, a loyal friend, and a tireless protector of his community. Beyond his service, Mickolick was a passionate traveler, sports fan, and music lover, known for his love of skiing, Cleveland Browns football, and attending as many Dave Matthews Band concerts as possible.
“Paul’s dedication to his community was only matched by his dedication to his family,” said Stacy Franklin of Lodi Fire and Rescue, who is helping coordinate the benefit. “This dinner is a way for all of us — first responders, neighbors, friends, and even strangers who were touched by his story — to show Rachel, Connor, and Elise that they’re not alone.”
Tickets can be purchased online through the Lodi Volunteer Fire & Rescue Association at lodi-volunteer-fire-rescue-association.square.site or by contacting the Lodi Fire Station or Stacy Franklin at 234-799-2833.
Proceeds will directly benefit the Mickolick family as they work to rebuild their lives, carrying forward Paul’s legacy of strength, service, and love.
