Paul Edward Potter

1947 - 2016

Paul Edward Potter
March 30, 1947 - December 21, 2016

Born March 30, 1947 in New York City passed peacefully on December 21,
2016 in Los Angeles, California. Paul lived a rich, complex and full life. Following graduation from Pasadena High School, he moved to San Francisco in the early 60's to live in the Haight Ashbury district. He was a voracious reader and included in his circle, Lawrence Ferlinghetti and Janis Joplin. In the late 60's he made his way through Mexico, Central America and South America by truck, bus, boat and car to Santiago, Chile where he worked as a stringer for Time Magazine and other publications. With the sudden assassination of Salvador Allende in September 1973, he fled with his family over the Andes to Argentina. They settled in northern Spain where he resumed writing and learned to speak Catalan.
Paul returned to the United States in the late 1970's. He worked as a Spanish language interpreter in the courts. He spoke formal Spanish and was appreciated by defendants, judges and attorneys. While interpreting, he enrolled in law school, excelled in his studies and graduated at the top of his class. He was admitted to the California Bar in 1980. He practiced primarily criminal defense law where he poured himself into the defense of complex fraud and death penalty cases. He practiced law in Pasadena with his father and brother for 36 years.
In 1995 he met Esther and together they forged a powerful bond that included hiking, bicycling, traveling, family, eating and cooking. As an avid reader who was able to appreciate and expound upon the finer points of Salman Rushdie, China Mieville and Umberto Echo. He enjoyed dramatic reading to his grandchildren. After many years of happiness, he and Esther married in September 2013. Paul continued to represent clients through November 2016.
Paul, the son of Vilma Potter and Bertram Potter (deceased) is survived by his sister Alexandra Watts, his brother, Joshua Potter, and his beloved wife, Esther Potter. He leaves behind his adoring children, Billie Melillo, Moira Potter, and Pablo Potter and his adoring grandchildren: Miette, Audrey, Eleanor, Colin, Spencer, Cameron, and his son-in-law's Jason and Shawn and daughter-in-law Jenny.

A service will be held at Cabot & Sons Funeral Home, 27 Chestnut St, Pasadena, CA 91103 on December 27, 2016 at 6:00 pm.
In lieu of flowers, donations in his memory may be made to Homeboy Industries, Los Angeles. Cabot & Sons, Pasadena CA