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Retired U.S. Navy Capt. Paul Xavier Rinn, 75, of Fairfax Station, Virginia, passed away unexpectedly August 3, 2022. A visitation will be held on August 11th, 2022 from 6 pm - 8 pm at Jefferson Funeral Chapel in Alexandria, Virginia. A Catholic Mass will be on August 12th, 2022 at 11 am at St. Raymond of Peñafort Church in Springfield, Virginia. Burial will take place at Arlington National Cemetery at a later date. In lieu of flowers, memorials in his name may be left to Food for The Poor and Navy Safe Harbor. Paul was born on September 13, 1946 in New York, New York, the fourth child of Roger and Dorothy (Gonzales) Rinn. He married Pamela (Paul) Rinn July 19, 1969. He is survived by beloved wife Pamela, daughters Courtney (Cappy) Surette of Windermere, FL; and Kirstin (Ryan) LeTellier of Summerville, SC; son Matthew Rinn of Castle Rock, CO; grandchildren, Tyler Paul Rinn, Cooper Rinn LeTellier, William Xavier Surette, Rowan McCarick LeTellier, Elizabeth Grier Surette, Abigail McCauley Rinn and brother, Gregory Rinn of Rockville Centre, New York. Paul was an accomplished U.S. Naval Leader and successful businessman. His career in the Navy spanned almost three decades and encompassed challenging positions in a multitude of key operational assignments and combat encounters as well as significant Pentagon postings. A Surface Warfare Officer, his professional path took him from the rivers of Southeast Asia to the command of the U.S. Navy’s most sophisticated ships: the Guided Missile Frigate Samuel B Roberts FFG 58 (the heroic story of which is required reading at the US Naval Academy, Naval War College and Surface Warfare Officers School) and the AEGIS Cruiser Leyte Gulf CG 55 (selected as the “Top AEGIS Cruiser” in the Atlantic Fleet during Paul Rinn’s Command). Paul was the recipient of the United States Congress’s 1989 National Day of Excellence Award, the 1989 Stephen Decatur Award for Operational Excellence and the 1995 U.S. Navy League John Paul Jones Award for Inspirational Leadership. Ashore he served as Executive Assistant to the Head of the Surface Navy and later as Special Assistant to two Chiefs of Naval Operations. He was awarded five Legion of Merit Awards (one with Combat V), Purple Heart, four Meritorious Service Awards, Combat Action Ribbon with bronze star and other personal and unit commendations. In 2008, Paul was Inducted into the Surface Navy Hall of Fame. Following his naval service, Paul joined the international consulting firm of Whitney Bradley and Brown and was an integral part of the company’s growth from a $5 million-dollar organization to a $95 million company in ten years. He retired in 2011 and embarked up a successful public speaking career inspiring thousands across the world with his lessons about inspirational leadership. Paul was an active champion of veteran causes and a leader in the Marist College Alumni program. He loved spending time with family, volunteering at Church functions, public speaking and all things associated with U.S. Navy Surface Warfare and the Sailors who serve their country. No Higher Honor

Tributes

Capt. Paul Xavier Rinn, U.S. Navy (retired)

September 13, 1946 - August 3, 2022