Paul Martin Connell

Paul Martin Connell, 83, passed away after an arduous journey with cancer. Paul was born in San Francisco, CA on November 6, 1938 and spent his childhood in Northern California. He married Lynda Connell in 1961, and they had a daughter named Rikki. He later moved with his family to Baldwin Park and then Ventura, where he resided for more than 55 years. Paul loved living in Ventura, especially the Ventura pier and harbor, the beach and the weather, and the people. Paul began his career as a police officer in Vallejo, CA. He then went onto graduate from the California Highway Patrol (CHP) Academy before working as a CHP Officer and Sergeant. He was assigned to the Baldwin Park area upon graduation and was promoted to Sergeant working in the San Francisco, Newhall, and Ventura areas until his retirement in 1991 after 27 years of service. While Paul worked hard and was proud of his career in law enforcement, he greatly enjoyed his retirement through his involvement in Toastmasters, boating, and staying connected to the CHP.
Most importantly, he was a dedicated and active grandfather in the lives of his grandchildren. His greatest legacy will be the love for his family and loyalty to his friends. He is survived by his daughter Rikki Pleis and her husband Richard; granddaughter Rachel McKenna, her husband Patrick, and their son Hayden; granddaughter Rebekah Nulph and her husband Tyler; and wonderful nieces and nephews. He is preceded in death by his parents, Jack and Mary, and his sisters, Irene Walkenshaw and Jackie Killeen.
Family and friends are invited to visiting hours to be held Thursday August 4, 2022 from 4 to 8pm in the JOSEPH P. REARDON FUNERAL HOME & CREMATION SERVICE, 757 E. Main Street Ventura, where a Most Holy Rosary will be recited at 7pm. A Funeral Mass of Christian Burial in celebration of Paul's life will be held Friday, August 5, 2022 at 10:00am at Our Lady of Assumption Church, 3175 Telegraph Rd. Ventura, with Reverend Matthew Miguel officiating. The burial at Paul's final resting place will be at Ivy Lawn Cemetery following the Mass. In lieu of flowers and in Paul's memory, donations can be made to St. Jude Children's Research Hospital and Guide Dogs for the Blind.