October 17, 1927 - October 16, 2021 Paul Thomas Salata passed away peacefully at his home in Newport Beach, CA, on Oct. 16, the day before his 95th birthday. Born in the Highland Park neighborhood of Los Angeles, he was the second oldest of seven sons to Chetko and Melania Salata. Student Body President and a 3-sport athlete and at Franklin High School, Paul starred in football, baseball, and track for the Panthers. After graduation in 1944, Paul was awarded a scholarship to play football, baseball, and track at the University of Southern California. Just six months removed from high school, Paul scored a touchdown for the Trojans in the 1945 Rose Bowl game against Tennessee. Paul lettered at the end for USC in 1944, 1946, and 1947 and played in the prestigious Rose Bowl on New Year's Day twice ('45 and '48). He missed the 1945 season while in the Army Air Corps during World War II. He also lettered as an infielder on the 1948 Trojan baseball team that won the program's first College World Series championship against Yale (captained by former US President George H.W. Bush).Following his collegiate career, Paul joined the San Francisco 49ers (1949-50) in the All-American Football Conference and remained a 49er when the AAFC merged with the NFL. He caught the last AAFC touchdown by a 49er and then the first NFL touchdown pass for the franchise. Paul also played for the Baltimore Colts (1950-leading receiver) and Pittsburgh Steelers (1950-51), catching 50 passes with 4 touchdowns in his career. He went on to play in the Canadian Football League with the Calgary Stampeders (1952) and Ottawa Roughriders (1953), earning CFL All-Star honors with Calgary. In 1950, Paul also had a brief pro baseball stint with the Wichita Falls Spudders (St. Louis Browns affiliate), hitting .250 in 16 games.During and after his football career, Paul played bit parts in several movies primarily in the 1950s, including "The Ten Commandments," "Stalag 17," "Angels in the Outfield," "Pocket Full Of Miracles" and "The Joker Is Wild." He also became a successful businessman in the construction industry, forming Salata Inc., El Toro Materials, Pasadena Aggregates, and G.A.S. Investments.Paul developed a strong philanthropic identity in Orange County and was a renowned comic master of ceremonies for countless banquets and events. After watching him conduct a banquet one night, actor and Rat Pack comic Joey Bishop called Paul "the funniest guy I've ever seen." Paul received many awards including the NFL Alumni Award, Red Cross Man of the Year, USC Alumni of the Year, and Newport Beach Citizen of the Year. To perpetuate support for athletic groups, he founded the USC Football Alumni, USC Baseball Alumni, and Orange County Sportsman of the Year, among others.Staying active among USC football and NFL alumni, Paul created his trademark event, Irrelevant Week, in 1976. Impressed by the attention given to the top pick in the NFL's annual draft, Paul decided to honor the final pick in the draft among some friends in Newport Beach, calling it Irrelevant Week, with the motto "doing something nice for someone for no reason." The idea grew into a phenomenon that is announced on worldwide television every year (ESPN and NFL Network) at the close of the draft. Mr. Irrelevant has been feted in Newport Beach for 46 consecutive years.Paul is survived by his wife of 15 years, Carolyn; daughter Melanie (Mrs. Edward Fitch III); son Bradley; his granddaughters, Alix and Marie Fitch; his brother George (Linda); and many nieces and nephews, and great-nieces and nephews. He was also predeceased by his first wife Beverly, his parents, and his brothers, Peter, Ted, Robert, Jon, and Tom.His humor, generosity, and wit will be greatly missed by all.A funeral liturgy will be held on Nov. 8 at 10:30 a.m. at St. Steven's Serbian Orthodox Cathedral (1621 W Garvey Ave, Alhambra, CA 91803), followed by a luncheon in the Cathedral hall and pavilion. Private burial to follow at Pacific View Memorial Park in Corona Del Mar. In lieu of flowers, the family appreciates your support for the Serbian United Benevolent Society (P.O. Box 1086, Alhambra, CA 91802) and the Orange County Youth Sports Foundation (ocysf.org).Services under the direction of Robert Risher, Guerra & Gutierrez Mortuary, (323) 722-1900.