Paul Martini Obituary - Visitation & Funeral Information

Paul Martini was born in Oakland, California on September 17, 1939 to Peter and Carmela Cincotta Martini. Shortly thereafter the family moved to San Francisco where Paul grew up. Being from a 2nd generation Italian family, the children were encouraged to only hang out with family. There were dozens of cousins along with his sister Barbara to keep entertained. He helped at his dad's fuel station and love to work on cars. Paul graduated from Sacred Heart Cathedral Preparatory School in San Francisco in 1957. He proudly became a member of the Army National Guard in 1962, graduating from the California Military Academy at Camp San Luis Obispo as a 2nd Lieutenant. He was honorably discharged in 1971. Working for Transamerica Insurance, he was transferred to Spokane Washington where he met and married his wife of almost 43 years, Cheryl, on October 2, 1970. Moving to Los Angeles, CA his first daughter Michelle was born on June 28, 1971. Paul and Cheryl were quite the bowling duo and enjoyed league play for many years. During the next few years, the Martini family relocated to Orange County where on May 31, 1977, his second daughter Maria was born. He returned to school and completed his Associates in Business at Saddleback College. They enjoyed life in Lake Forest until 1989. The years of 1989-1997 found Paul in North San Diego County when he retired from Transamerica Insurance and opened a Mail Boxes, Etc. franchise in Bonsall, CA. Paul then accepted a position with Mail Boxes, Etc. Corporate Headquarters, where he remained until 2007, when he retired from the working world. He was a Product Development Manager and was responsible for researching new packaging technologies and then training and implementing new programs to the over 3,000 franchisees. On February 2, 2002, his grandson Tyler was born at Tri-City Medical Center. Paul was one very proud grandfather. His passion was all things sports, including the San Francisco Giants and the 49ers, but he was his grandson's biggest fan at Little League games and practices, which he rarely missed. Paul loved his family deeply and spoke so proudly of them. Paul LOVED to be in the kitchen entertaining and cooking, what else, but Italian food. He continued the tradition of homemade raviolis using his mother's recipe and loved to share biscotti and anise cookies that he frequently baked. His most treasured time however, was making breakfast for his grandson before he left for school. As an avid golfer, he also loved his part-time job as Starter/Player's Assistant at the Arrowood Golf course in Oceanside, California which gave him free access to the game and he was an active member of their men's club. Wherever he lived, Paul was involved in the community. In Lake Forest, he worked with the Homeowner's Association, painted sets and managed the stage lighting for the Showboaters, and even coached softball. While working for the MBE he was a key player in the annual Stand Down in San Diego an outreach event for homeless veterans. In Oceanside, he had the honor of starting the Independence Day Parade each year. Inspired by the care that he had received as a patient, Paul joined the Tri City Hospital Auxiliary in 2009, and started working at the Wellness Center where he quickly was named Chairman. The following year he assumed the title of 1st Vice President for the Auxiliary, and in 2011 he was Chosen to lead the Auxiliary as President. He had just begun his third term as president when he became ill. Paul gave his all to the Auxiliary which he loved so much. They saw many changes during his presidency and he was always thinking of ways that the Auxiliary could improve. He was often jokingly accused of changing something even if it didn't need changing, but his most visible improvement was a change in uniform from pink to a brilliant blue. Paul was 73 and as a vibrant, active man, should have had many good years still ahead of him. Although he quit smoking decades prior, lung cancer was the disease that took him from us. Paul Martini touched many lives and is truly missed. Paul leaves behind his wife Cheryl, daughter Michelle and her husband Ryan, daughter Maria and her husband Nick, and grandson Tyler. He is also survived by his sister Barbara of Rocklin, Ca and by 9 nieces and nephews.