Paul Parkman

1953 - 2015

Paul Parkman

March 19, 1953 - November 3, 2015

Paul Parkman passed away peacefully at home on November 3, 2015. He was surrounded by music, family and beauty. A native of the Bay Area, Paul was a unique and brilliant man. His house was always filled with music. He was a devoted opera fan, and had a box at the San Francisco Opera for many years. He was a magnificent cook, who loved nothing more than making exquisite meals for his friends and family. Paul spent many of his happiest hours sailing his beloved Junebug on the San Francisco Bay, and sailing in the Mediterranean. Paul read serious literature, history, the New York Review of Books, and the daily WSJ. He loved to dance; he loved semi-colons. Paul spent his younger years working in the Civil Rights movement, and participated in the Communist Party, traveling to Cuba with the early Brigades. Paul was a builder and real estate developer. Paul had friends and loves throughout his life who marveled at his strength, self determination, brilliance, and mastery of life.

He leaves behind his son Santiago Maceo Buada and daughter-in-law Carlota Buada, son Kyle Joaquin Parkman, and his beloved partner Virginia Hamilton. Most important to Paul were his sons, who were, as he said, the true loves of his life. He also loved his new expanded family, Alice Beecher Popejoy, Jimmy Davidson, 4 month old Kaia Popejoy Davidson, and Ellen Isabel Popejoy. Paul said that, at the end of his life, he finally had the home and family he wanted.

An Anisina (the Turkish word for commemoration) for Paul will be held on December 6th at 1:00 PM at the Lake Merritt Sailboat House in Lakeside Park. In lieu of flowers, the family has established the Kyle Parkman Scholarship Fund. Contributions can be made here: https://pages.giveforward.com/other/page-3tz5kd6/