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Paul Espinosa Obituary
Funeral services will be held 10:30 a.m. Monday, Dec. 31, at Trinity Lutheran Church, 213 N. Pennsylvania Avenue, with the Rev. Duane Miller officiating. Interment will be in Memorial Park Cemetery.
Visitation will be from 3 to 5 p.m. Sunday at Major Erickson Funeral Home, 111 N. Pennsylvania Ave.
Memorials may be directed to the Mason City Education Foundation, Trinity Lutheran Church, or Hospice of North Iowa.
Online condolences may be left for the family at www.majorericksonfuneralhome.com
Paul "Blackie" Espinosa was born March 5, 1921, in Mason City to Paul and Petra (Olvera) Espinosa. He graduated from Mason City High School in 1940. As a sophomore he was a member of the State Championship Baseball Team for his beloved coach, Clayton (Chick) Sutherland. In his junior year, he hit a home run and collapsed his lung, but made it to home plate.
After graduation, he returned to play in the Industrial League and for the Mason City Braves. He played at the new Roosevelt Stadium. Then he played and managed fast pitch softball for various teams and in the church league for Trinity Lutheran Church. He ended his career playing slow pitch softball and pitched a no-hitter at age 50 helping his team with the state tournament and to the Nationals. A special treat was having his son, Paul play first base on that team.
He was inducted into the Iowa State Softball Hall of Fame in 1979 and later the River City Hall of Fame. After his playing days were over, he coached Babe Ruth League Baseball and was proud that his team won the city championship.
Blackie was united in marriage to Mavis Holt of Ottosen on August 3, 1943. They were the parents of six children: Sherry (Gordon) Rundquist of Iowa City, Paul (deceased) (Mary), Pamela (Loyd) McFarland of Fresno, Calif., Debra (deceased), Ann of Ames, and Peter (Kari) of Edina, Minn.
They have seven grandchildren, Matthew Rundquist (deceased), Paul Rundquist of Mount Pleasant, Nathan (Amber) Espinosa of Lino Lakes, Minn., Jennifer (John) Whyte of Omaha, Neb., Joshua of Minneapolis, Minn., and Justin and Rachel Espinosa of Edina, Minn.
He has nine great grandchildren, April, Kodi, Paul, and Katlyn Rundquist, Carver, Zachary, and Andrew Espinosa, Alexis and Alison Whyte.
Blackie served on the Board of Deacons and Stewardship Committee at Trinity Lutheran Church, United Way, Memorial Park Hospital and was a member of Rotary. He taught Sunday School and was Sunday School Superintendent and sang in the choir.
He was the Culligan Man for 50 years starting as a route man, then service manager and then manager. He was a fast talking, super salesman who helped build the company. He was a flag flying proud American with a deep faith in God who loved Mason City and the people living here and the surrounding towns and farms. He was proud of his wife, family, flower garden, and his yard.
For several years he was a motivational speaker at area churches and businesses giving testimonials about his life and how great life was and what a wonderful country we live in. He was an enthusiastic supporter of all the good things in life. He spent his retirement years visiting friends and former customers in nursing homes.
Blackie is survived by his wife, Mavis; three daughters, one son, 6 grandchildren, nine great grandchildren, one brother, Lawrence (Gladys) Espinosa of Mason City; two sisters, Della (Jerome) Dix of Concord, Calif., Susan Rubalcava of Mason City; many nieces and nephews.
Blackie was preceded in death by his parents, daughter, Debra; son, Paul; grandson, Matthew; eight brothers and sisters.
Arrangements: Major Erickson Funeral Home & Crematory, Mason City, 641-423-0924, www.majorericksonfuneralhome.com.
To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.
Memories and Condolences
for Paul Espinosa
Mindy Brunner
December 31, 2012
Mavis and Family--I'm so sorry to hear of Blackie's passing I had the honor of meeting him and getting to know you while he was at Good Shepard--you and your family are in my thoughts and prayers----Mindy Brunner
December 31, 2012
What a pleasure to remember Blackie and all of the wonderful conversations Blackie had with my Mom and Dad. Lots of wisdom and laughter. We are grateful to be among the many whose lives were blessed by being on his route. Our sincere condolences. Charlotte Douglas Allen and the Douglas family.
Toni Benson and Family
December 31, 2012
Mavis and family, So sorry to hear about Uncle Blackie. He was one of my favorites and I have so many good memories. My prayers and thoughts are with you and the family. Can't make it to the services, we live in CA
Joann Espinosa
December 30, 2012
Dear Espinosa family,
I will always be grateful for the love and support from Blackie and all of you. Blackie was always so kind and generous to me and that is something I will never forget. He always appreciated the simple things in life , like his many friendships, his garden and most of all the fierce love for his family. A good man has left but his love will surround you forever. My sympathy and love to you all.
Elizabeth Michaels
December 30, 2012
Dear Mrs.Espinosa,Ann and Family,
I LOVED BLACKIE! One of my favorite people in life. His smile, his wonderful stories, his kindness. An incredible human being and certainly a "Gift" to all who had the pleasure of knowing him.
I'm sure my parents, Keith and Madonna Rozen, have already greeted Blackie and started some new heavenly club.
I'm so very sorry for your loss.....but.......wow, how lucky were you to have such a fantastic person in your lives! I hope those wonderful memories with Blackie can heal your pain. In the meantime....my thoughts and prayers are with the Espinosa family I love so much.....Betsy Rozen
Julie and John Rubalcava
December 30, 2012
Mavis and family,our heartfelt sympathy to you all,may your faith help you through this difficult time
Ralph Madison
December 30, 2012
I met the man only a couple of times, but he made me feel as if he had known me all his life. His deceased son Paul, my best friend, was the same way. The light of the world is a little dimmer today!
December 30, 2012
December 30, 2012
Blackie was 10 years older than I was so I knew him all my life. We were North enders and played softball together in the city leagues. Blackie probably knew more people in Mason City than anyone else and he could remember everyone he met. As an adult I also knew him in church and Rotary Club.
My wife and I extend our sympathy to the family.
Don and Gloria Ambroson
Ankeny, Iowa
Nancy Kelly
December 30, 2012
Learning of another loss to the Espinosa family brings back those memories of the tragic loss of my friend Debbie and more recently her brother.
Her strong family background supported her growth into the fine young woman I admired in my HS years. Your family has remained an example of strength and support to all.
Getting to know Ann in my adult life as a teacher was a special privilege as well.
Mavis, your strength has always been admirable. What a legacy you and "Blackie" inspired.
Hoping you find peace knowing his memory lives on in so many.
Sincerely, Nancy Herlitzka Kelly.
December 30, 2012
Ann,
I am so sorry to hear of your loss and hope that wonderful memories will sustain you!
Lynne (Hayward) Bombinski
Patty Pirkl-Goebel
December 29, 2012
I remember my father Mark Pirkl speaking of Blackie. My sympathy to you all.
Mr. and Mrs. William F., Jr. Oertel
December 29, 2012
Dear Mavis and Espinosa Family,
Bill and I grew up with you all at Roosevelt Junior High, Mason City High School, Trinity Lutheran Church and many organizations here in Mason City. It was always comforting to see you and
Blackie in the first pew at Trinity. This memory and so many more of growing up here with you all, causes us to pray about, remember fondly and treasure all about Blackie Espinosa. He epitomized what Christian charity is all about and we ask God to comfort you at this time of his entering Heaven.
Yours, Mary Lynn (Banning) and Bill Oertel
Kaylene Moritz
December 29, 2012
Dear Espinosa family, I am one of those people who grew up in Mason City just knowing that if people were talking about Blackie, they were talking about Paul. I admire him for all he did and stood for. The quote in the Globe Gazette is a new fovorite of mine and I will use it when talking and working with others. Know that Blackie is in great hands and we will see him again. Also, as a neighbor kid of Walt Eau Claire, I assume the two of them are in heaven right now playing baseball!
Jamie Zanios
December 29, 2012
I will always remember Blackie for his warmth and generosity but also a friend of my dad's from the old days, the Grant School and Jackson Street area. May his memory be eternal!
Richard C. James
December 29, 2012
We were saddened to read of Blackiesn passing. Our yraes of friendship will be in our memory forever. Blackie and all of thr Espinosa Family will be in our thoughts and prayers. Dick and Lynn James
Diane Krieger-Heginger
December 29, 2012
I was so saddened to hear of Blackie's passing when I read it in the paper this morning. My first introduction to Blackie was when I was 15 years old & just started working as a waitress across the street from Culligan & Blackie was the first customer I waited on. His enthusiastic greeting put me at ease & through the course of that summer his daily chats while I poured coffee gave me an increased sense of confidence in speaking to customers which became one of the building blocks for my ability to work with patients when I became a RN. Great people who can instill those skills are so rare. I feel greatly blessed that I was one of the lucky ones who was 'coached' by someone as special as Blackie. Prayers for all who are feeling this loss.
December 29, 2012
Wow what a flood of memories came back as I read of the passing of Blackie. What a wonderful man! The Espinosa's were our neighbors and friends. Blackie was the kind of man who never judged and was always supportive. His daughter Debbie was my friend and as I saw it had the kind of dad I would have wanted but I never knew since my dad died when I was 6. Debbie passed at age 16 and left a hole in the hearts of her family, our neighborhood and the class of 1971. Debbie became an angel then and now her daddy has joined her in the ranks of superior angels. Blackie will be greatly missed, but for those of us who were touched by his gentle kind heart are better because of him! Gods Blessings to the entire family and know I will be thinking of you all as you celebrate this dear mans life.
Fondly,
Althea Tate Rohrer
Lori Schmidt
December 29, 2012
So sorry to hear of your loss! I grew up knowing Blackie as our Culligan man! What a handsome, charismatic, sweet, caring, sensitive man he was! His smile and genuine affection for others always brought out smiles and affection in return. I was recently visiting my grandmother at the care center and I ran into Blackie. I'm sure he didn't remember me as it's been many, many years, but when I looked at him and smiled and said, "Hello Blackie", he responded back with that beautiful smile of his.
He truly was a special man, I know I, as well as many others, will never forget him! There just aren't many people out there like Blackie Espinosa!
My deepest condolences to his loving family. I pray that God grants you the strength and support you need at this difficult time! How blessed you were to have so many wonderful years with this magnificient man! Blessings!
Pam Ransom-Schultz
December 29, 2012
Blackie was always a warm and welcoming figure at Trinity with a smile and kind word for everyone. We all remember him fondly and wish his family out most sincere condolences.
Linda Muth
December 29, 2012
Dear Mavis and family, Our sincere sympathy to you at this sad time. Linda (Moen) and Fred Muth
Dave Tracy
December 29, 2012
Blackie was a good friend of my dad's, Gene , and a very special person to many in Mason City. To Sherry and to the rest of the Espinosa family, know that this man contributed so much to his home town and will be missed.
Jeffrey Leaman
December 28, 2012
Blackie was my baseball coach when I was just learning what type of man I wanted to become. He set the finest example of integrity and honor and taught me how to focus on becoming the best I could become, rather than who I could "beat" or how ''badly" I could "beat" them at any sport. Debbie was an angel on this Earth, if such things do in fact exist. Blackie and Mavis continued their support of my achieving my own dreams by giving me a scholarship to attend college when I graduated from MCHS, in Debbie's honor. He was a man apart and above, yet the best among us, and though he may have had difficulty remembering the gifts he gave to others his entire life, I will not forget them ever! Thank you, Blackie, and Mavis, and Debbie.
Don Van Every
December 28, 2012
To the Espinosa Family. Janet and I are sad to hear of the passing of
Blackie. We knew him well as he serviced our soft water system and we were also members of Trinity Lutheran Church for many years. He will be sorely missed. Don and Janet Van Every
Kathy Barlas
December 28, 2012
Tom and I are very sad to hear of Blackie's passing. He was my very favorite lunch partner at Rotary, and I'm so happy that I got to see him before we left. Our sincere sympathy to you Mavis and your wonderful Children.
Chris Connolly
December 28, 2012
Blackie was the epitome of a great Rotarian....friendly, welcoming, and always willing to help. He will be missed.
December 28, 2012
Dear Ann and Family,
We are very sorry to hear of the loss of your father. Know that you are in our thoughts and prayers.
Jonie and Fitz
Sandy Haubrich
December 28, 2012
Thinking of you in your time of loss...But remember Blackie is in God's hands and not hurting anymore...Remember all of the good times...Sure miss seeing his smiling face on Sundays at Trinity...Sincere condolences to you all...God Bless...Sandy and Al Haubrich
Donna & Bob Furleigh
December 28, 2012
We remember "Blackie" for a lot of things but especially as a good Rotarian.
Jenn Whyte
December 28, 2012
Rest in peace, Grandpa
December 28, 2012
So sorry for your loss of your husband. Your in our prayers.
Richard Torkelson
Carol Johnson
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