Ezio Mario Paolini

Ezio Mario Paolini Passed away peacefully on September 14, 2006, at the age of 86. Beloved husband, father, grandfather, uncle, and friend, he will be remembered as an eternal optimist who had a zest for life. Born June 20, 1920, in Pieve a Nievole (Lucca), Italy, he attended St. Peter Boys High School (Class of 1938) and USF (Class of 1942). During WWII he commanded an anti-aircraft battery in Normandy and the European theatre. Following the war he returned home to the US as a decorated veteran (Purple Heart, Bronze Star) and obtained a law degree from USF School of Law (Class of 1948). He practiced law for over 50 years and retired from the US Army Reserve as a colonel. During his undergraduate years at USF, he played on its soccer team. Following his retirement from playing soccer, he served as president of the California Soccer Association (two years) and president of the San Francisco Soccer League (25 years). He was honored by membership in the USF Athletic Hall of Fame. He was an active member of the Olympic Club for over 50 years, as well as a member of various Italian-American organizations, including Lucchesi nel Mondo, Order Sons of Italy (Virtus Lodge), Italian-American Social Club and the Verdi Club. He is survived by his wife, Norma; daughter, Anne Marie Mori; son-in-law, Paul Mori; grandsons, Gianluca Mori and Lorenzo Mori; brother, Mario Paolini (Gloria); nieces, Claire Paolini, Bernadette Paolini and Adrienne Paolini; and nephew, Mario Paolini, Jr. Friends may visit Sunday, Sept. 17, 2006 after 6:00 PM, and are invited to attend the Vigil Service also on Sun. at 7:00 PM, all at St. Brendan's Church, 29 Rockaway Ave., SF. A Funeral Mass will be held on Mon., Sept. 18, 2006 at 10:00 AM at St. Ignatius Church, 650 Parker Ave. (Fulton St. and Parker), SF. Committal to follow at Holy Cross Cemetery, Colma. In lieu of flowers, the family requests that donations in his memory be made to the USF Green & Gold Club Athletic Development, 2130 Fulton St., MGT 1, SF, CA, 94117 or the Olympic Club Foundation, PO Box 280608, SF, CA 94128-0608.