Paul R. Galvan

1932 - 2010

Paul R. Galvan, beloved brother and uncle passed away on December 27, 2010, surrounded by his large loving family, after a long and courageous battle from complications due to back surgery.

He is now resting in peace with the Lord, his beloved and caring mother, Guadalupe Rivera Galvan, and father, Juan Galvan. Paul was born in Santa Paula to their union on September 3, 1932, the third born of a close knit and united family of twelve.

His father was tragically killed in an industrial accident in 1965. He attended school at Olivelands and Briggs, graduating from Ventura High School in 1950 before attending Ventura Junior College. He was stricken with a mental illness as a young man, was confined at the Camarillo State Hospital, a common practice in those years.

Not improving after several years there, Paul was taken home under the loving care of his mother and father. His behavior and social life became much better through the years. Having an extraordinary memory and occasional wit, he brought out many laughs with family members and friends. Paul was a devout Catholic, attending mass and receiving holy communion regularly before his illness.

As a teenager, his passion was baseball, playing for his high school and local travel teams. During his Limoneira and Saticoy years, he worked the fields, including the families annual summer fruit harvesting trips to the North. Always challenging his family, against other families for the best harvest of the day, which they usually won. "Uncle Paul" was very special to all family members and friends especially his nephews and nieces who were always there for him until the end.

He loved to attend celebrations and was always the first one on the dance floor. He also enjoyed eating out, especially the weekly Thursday breakfast at Carrow's with siblings and in-laws. When he was in his sixties, he participated in the Ventura County Special Olympics, playing slow pitch softball for the Santa Paula Behavioral Center.

After pitching six consecutive games and winning the tournament, he was very exhausted. Team coach and nephew Phil Rodriguez told the concerned and cheering family, "he demanded to pitch". Paul always looked forward to family get-togethers at Rosarito Beach. He also loved to go camping, travel around Southern California to softball games, zoos and amusement parks with his sister, Irene and brother-in-law, Max, occasionally asking, "when are you taking me somewhere?"

His mother's last wish was for family to take care of her "hijo". Her wish was honored.

Special recognition to siblings, Johnny Galvan and wife, Esther, Felicitas Rodriguez, Irene Cardona and husband, Max, and Stella Valdez for his care. Preceding him in death besides his father and mother are brothers, Sixtos (wife Frances) Galvan, Alex Galvan, and Henry Galvan; sisters, Jennie (husband Piedad) Castro and Susie Noriega; brother-in-law, Rigoberto Rodriguez, all of Santa Paula; and brother-in-law, Mike Martinez of Merced. He is survived by brother, Johnny (wife Esther) Galvan of Santa Paula; sisters, Mary Martinez of Merced, Felicitas Rodriguez of Santa Paula, Irene (husband Max) Cardona of Fillmore, Stella Valdez of Santa Paula, and Gloria (husband Bryan) Galvan-Jones of San Diego; brother-in-law, Florencio "Chencho" Noriega of Santa Paula; and numerous loving nephews and nieces.

The family would like to give special thanks to the Ventura County Adult Health Care Center in Oxnard where for years his regular attendance included mental awareness therapy, recreation, lunch and quality visits with his "amigos" which meant so much to him. Supervision and staff members were superb. Also, Dr. Meyers and staff from Santa Paula, Community Memorial Hospital in Ventura, and care givers, Veronica Lopez and Maria Tolero for their concern and loving care during his post surgery illness.

Paul, your journey to the beauty of Heaven with Christ the Lord has only just begun. Father, take his soul and enrich him with Your love, join him with his mother and father. He always believed in You, God the Almighty. God Bless you Paul, we will miss you dearly. Love always, your family.

In lieu of flowers, the family is asking that contributions be made to Ventura County Adult Health Care Center in Oxnard. Visitation will be Monday, January 3, 2011, 3 pm - 5 pm at Skillin Carroll Chapel, 738 E. Santa Paula St.. Rosary will be held Monday, January 3, 2011 at 7 pm at St. Sebastian Church, Santa Paula, CA and Funeral Mass will be Tuesday, January 4, 2011 at 10 am at St. Sebastian Church, Santa Paula, CA. Burial will follow at Pierce Brothers Santa Paula Cemetery, 380 Cemetery Rd., Santa Paula,, CA Arrangements are under Skillin Carroll Mortuary, 738 E. Santa Paula St., Santa Paula, Ca 93060, (805) 525-3391.