Paul R Valdez Jr's Obituary
Paul Richard Valdez, Jr., was born to Paul Richard Valdez, Sr., and Trinidad Nacional Limos at the United States Naval Station, Subic Bay, Philippines. Paul was baptized and took the sacraments of holy communion and confirmation in the Roman Catholic church. The faith he valued throughout his life inspired him to live true to his word and deed, and Paul modeled civic virtues with gracious pride. Though raised with a military upbringing, Paul chose to live his adult life happily as a civilian. Growing up stateside along much of the California coast introduced him to what would become his favorite outdoor pastime, fishing. That and getting out on the water, first in his dad’s boats, then as captain of his own, the Trinidad and the Catz Meow, venturing the bay, the delta and the ocean, as often as he could. Equally, his favorite indoor pastime was cheering for his teams, the Niners and the Giants. As a youth at Serramonte High School, Paul combined working at Long’s Drugs as an assistant manager, along with mentoring young men through the DeMolay organization. A self-proclaimed geek, Paul’s interests and aptitude with all things tech originated with cars and carried over into computers. He poured his heart into two successive and successful careers: the latter, building two exceptional school Mac labs for the students and teachers at Strobridge Elementary and Cesar Chavez Middle Schools in Hayward; the former, operating Paul Valdez Travel Management, a sole proprietorship with a celebrated client list. A brotherly bond formed with Pixar's John Lasseter, who in Paul’s honor, commissioned the “PV Movie Hauler,” a toy issued in 2010, which also features as a character in the blue-ray version of “Cars.” Even through the difficult course of his final year Paul’s kind spirit and graciousness endeared him to all who came to know him as a gentle man, warm and affectionate. Paul married the true love of his life Maria Teodosia Lacebal in 1989, at Naval Station Treasure Island, next to the San Francisco Bay that he so loved. Together they reared two daughters, and raised dogs, cats, birds and bunnies, fruit trees and a vegetable garden… all that their hands found to do at their home in Hayward. His garden flourished beautifully under his green thumb. Preceded in death by his mother and his father, he leaves behind to cherish his memory, his loving wife, their beautiful and talented daughters Kristen Terisa and Katelynn Anne, sister and brother in-law, Evelyn & Tom Peterman, brother and sister-in-law Claro & Yolanda, and his “Sissy” Catherine Valdez. He also leaves behind numerous aunts, uncles, cousins, nephews, nieces and extended family. Paul’s immeasurable strength, courage and spirit will always be with us. The family would like to extend their deep gratitude to the staff at Kaiser Fremont ICU for their enduring and compassionate care of him. Services are scheduled for Friday, November 16, 2012 at one o’clock, at Skylawn Memorial Cemetery located at Highway 92 and Skyline Boulevard, in San Mateo. Donations in his name can be made to the American Kidney Fund.
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