Rev. Dr. Paul J. Masquelier Jr.

1938 - 2021

Rev. Dr. Paul J. Masquelier, Jr.
November 26, 1938 - September 23, 2021
Resident of San Jose and Fresno, CA
On Thursday, September 23, Rev. Dr. Paul J Masquelier, Jr., passed away with his children Wendy and Paul at his bedside. He was 82.
Paul will be remembered for his lifelong commitment to faith, his dedication in support of the needy and underserved, and his love for his family. He was a gifted public speaker, an artistic hobbyist and wine maker, a tech enthusiast, and a passionate traveler.
He was born in McDonald, Pennsylvania and graduated from the University of Pittsburgh with a degree in Business Administration. While at Pitt, Paul was introduced to Ursula Bonstedt by her older brother Heinrich (Hank), a fraternity brother. Paul and Ursula enjoyed 59 years of devoted marriage until her untimely passing in 2019.
Upon graduation Paul was hired as a stockbroker by Kay, Richards & Co, however after 2 years he left the securities industry to enroll at Pittsburgh Theological Seminary, receiving his Master of Divinity, and was ordained as a Presbyterian minister.
Paul served congregations in Centerville, Vandalia, and West Carrollton (all in Ohio). In 1975 he was called to be Associate Executive for Mission in Cincinnati Presbytery. Then in 1981 he was called to join the Presbytery of San Jose, California where he served as Executive Presbyter until his retirement in 2002. Paul was active in the World Service Advisory Committee, the Presbyterian Disaster Assistance Team, the General Assembly Council, the Association of Executive Presbyters, and the National Workshop on Christian Unity.
Paul also served on the board of the Santa Clara Chapter of the American Red Cross and Eastfield Ming Quong, a provider of children's mental health, wraparound, and social services. He was a long-time member of Rotary International, Vice-President of the Rotary Club of Cincinnati and a board member of the Rotary Club of San Jose, before joining the Rotary Club of Fresno.
He is survived by his sisters Joye (William) Neff and Mary (Jon) Anderson; by his children Wendy (Ken) Klippenstein and Paul (Stephanie) Masquelier III; by his grandchildren Rachel (Alfonzo Gutierrez-Sanchez) Klippenstein, Ruth Jacobson, Renee (Todd) Kanawyer, Astrid Masquelier, and Zachary Masquelier, and by his great grandchildren Bradley Jacobson, Beau Jacobson, and Theodore Gutierrez.
A memorial will be held on November 20 at University Presbyterian Church, 1776 E Roberts Ave, Fresno, CA 93710 at 2:00pm. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to one of the following organizations to which Paul was committed: Uplift Family Services (formerly Eastfield Ming Quong), The American Red Cross, The Rotary Foundation, Presbyterian Mission Agency.


View the online memorial for Rev. Dr. Paul J. Masquelier, Jr.