PAUL JOSEPH DeRUOSI

Paul Joseph DeRuosi, age 68, passed away on Saturday, February 4, 2017, at University of California, San Francisco Medical Center in San Francisco, CA. He was born on October 28, 1948, in Fresno, CA, to Paul DeRuosi and Rose (Papagini) DeRuosi. Paul grew up in Fresno, CA. He graduated from McLane High School in Fresno in 1966. After high school, he attended Fresno City College, and later California State University, Fresno, where he received a Bachelor's Degree in Criminology in 1972. He later went on to earn a Master's Degree in Counseling from Fresno State as well. Paul was a member of the United States Marine Corp. Reserves for seven years. After several years at the Fresno County Department of Social Services, Paul found employment at Fresno State as a Career Counselor. Eventually, Paul found his true calling as the Director of Fresno State's Scholarship Program. There Paul worked to develop a Community Service Scholarship Program which has placed over 1,200 students in career related volunteer experiences throughout the Central Valley. Paul retired in 2010, after over 30 years of service to the University. Paul was honored for his contributions to Fresno State just this past October, when he was selected as a "Top Dog" an award recognizing distinguished alumni. After his long career at Fresno State, Paul went to work at California Health Sciences University to launch the Student Scholarship Fund. Paul married Tanis Miezewski in 1972, in Fresno, CA. They were happily married for nearly 45 years. Paul was an avid fisherman, fan of old black and white television shows, an enthusiastic impressionist known, in particular, for his accurate portrayal of "The Godfather," and an adoring husband, father and grandfather. Paul is survived by his wife Tanis; their daughter, Jennifer Ann DeRuosi, and her husband, Ryan Jones; Paul and Tanis' granddaughter, Olivia Rose DeRuosi- Jones; and Paul's beloved dog Dino. A Memorial Service will be held at The Shrine of Saint Therese Catholic Church, 1410 N. Wishon Ave., Fresno, CA 93728, on Thursday, February 16, 2017, at 10:00 a.m. A luncheon will follow in the church hall. In lieu of flowers, the family requests memorial donations be made in Paul DeRuosi's name to Fresno State's Foundation, California Health Science University's Scholarship Fund; UCSF's Heart Disease Program; or Donate Life California.