Paul Steven Vukelich

Paul Steven Vukelich July 11 1951 - March 28 2023 Paul passed away gently on Tuesday, March 28, 2023, at the age of 71. He was born in July of 1951 in San Francisco, California, to John and Vera Vukelich, as one of four brothers (Ricky, Tom, and John). Paul’s only surviving sibling is Tom, who lives in the Pacific Northwest with his wife and children. Paul grew up in Redwood City, attending Sequoia High School and graduating from Cañada Junior College with an Associates of Arts degree. He spent most of his professional life in public service in various capacities, including as a supervisor for the Redwood City Department of Public Works, where he worked from 1976 until his retirement in 2009. He was also a member of the California-Nevada Chapter of the American Water Works Association (AWWA). Many of Paul’s great joys were found in the bright sunshine. He grew up spending time on the shores of Donner Lake with family, and moved to Truckee in 1994. He loved baseball, skiing, gardening, waterskiing, travel, fishing, golf, and the gym. Whether skiing at Northstar or out on the golf course, he was a brilliant athlete and diehard sports fan. He was never happier than when he could sit back and catch a Giants game with a glass of iced tea in hand. Paul renewed a friendship with his wife Joanne at their twenty-year high school reunion, and they were married in 1996. For their entire life together, he was a wonderful father and husband. He was an involved and caring man who mentored, supported, and loved not only the sons in his care but a wide network of friends. He adored all of his family, and he brought a deep commitment to whatever he did: for seventeen years, he commuted every single week from the Bay Area to Truckee to spend weekends with his family. No words could capture the great love and compassion Paul had for his family and friends, and the deep love that they had for him. His infectious smile, endless good humor, and warm heart were unmistakable and irreplaceable. Paul embraced life fully: he was generous, loving, and always there to help anyone who needed a hand or a kind word. He cared for his mother-in-law as his own during her final years following a stroke. He shared his wisdom with other men in need of guidance and lent a sympathetic ear to all at his weekly men’s meetings. His charity with others was equaled only by his empathy and temperance. His presence in the lives of all those he loved was a rock-solid source of strength and care. Paul is survived by his wife Joanne; two sons, Cameron and Kolby; and five grandchildren. He will be deeply missed by all who knew and loved him. We hold in our hearts the hope and belief that somewhere, somehow, he is skiing big beautiful turns down a mountain on a perfect bluebird day with that signature Paul smile. Services are private. In lieu of flowers, please feel free to make a donation to a charity of your choice.

Tributes

Paul Steven Vukelich

July 11, 1951 - March 28, 2023