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OBITUARY: Paul Edward Gervais

Paul came to us as a Blessing from God on May 6, 1920 in Green Bay, Wisconsin. He gifted his long life to the service and comfort of his fellow man, a soldier and warrior, an attorney and jurist; but most importantly, a husband, father, grandfather, uncle and friend. Paul returned to the waiting arms of his savior, Jesus Christ, on February 5, 2013.

Having moved with his family to California, Paul was working as a young man in a tool and die company when the need to defend his country became his calling. Paul served as an infantryman in World War II resulting in his capture as the Allies began their thrust into Germany through the Alscace-Lorraine. Suffering months of starvation Paul led the escape of a small band of POW’s finally making their way to safety with the U.S. 1st Infantry Division.

Paul returned from the war with focus and compassion where he attended UCLA and then Southwestern University obtaining a Juris Doctor degree in Law. He practiced 42 years beginning in Hollywood and continuing on to South Lake Tahoe where he served as United States Magistrate from 1971 – 1983. In this position Paul, who had himself been drafted to serve, was able to render compassionate assistance and life changing guidance to many young men facing draft evasion charges during or resulting from his country’s entanglement in the Vietnam Conflict. Finally Paul retired from his subsequent practice in Placerville, moving with his wife, Paula, to Sacramento.

Always attentive to the needs of others Paul continued to serve his fellow man by volunteering his time to Read For The Blind and at the Jonas Salk Middle School. Paul was the rare individual the Lord sent to this world to help make it a better place. But, Paul liked to enjoy life too. He was a pilot and loved to fly his private plane. Working with wood and playing the accordion provided him and others around him with enjoyment and relaxation. He even wrote and published a book, sometimes taking time during the traveling he loved to reflect and write a few paragraphs.

His life was made full by his family whom he deeply cherished and who loved and now dearly miss him. Paul leaves his loving wife, Paula; his daughter, Valerie Darling; granddaughter, Melanie Haak; great grandson Tevin Blalark and great granddaughter, Jaya Evans. Missing him too are his brothers in law, Kurt and Eric Feichtinger; his nieces and nephew; Heidi, Krista, Matthew and Katie Feichtinger and her husband, Dan Osborn.

Services will be Tuesday, February 19th at St. Ignatius in the Chapel, 3235 Arden Way, Sacramento, California, 95825.


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