Paul Everett Danielson Jr.

1938 - 2016

Paul Everett Danielson Jr.

Aug. 18, 1938 - March 1, 2016

Salinas

Beloved Husband, Father, Grandfather, Minister, Educator, Conservationist, and Friend

The Rev. Paul Everett Danielson, Jr. passed away peacefully surrounded by his family on March 1, 2016, weeks after a diagnosis of cancer. He was 77.

A resident of the Monterey Bay area for nearly fifty years, Paul devoted his life to serving others and exploring and protecting the Monterey environment. Paul was born Aug. 18, 1938 in Santa Barbara, to Paul and Katharine Danielson. He graduated from Princeton University in 1960 with a B.A. degree in Religion and then earned a Master of Divinity degree from the Union Theological Seminary in New York City and an Anglican Studies certificate from the Episcopal Theological School in Cambridge, Mass.

Ordained as an Episcopal deacon in 1964 and a priest in 1965, Paul began his pastoral career as assistant rector of St. Paul's Episcopal Church in Endicott, NY, serving under the Rev. George Entwisle. Inspired by Dr. Martin Luther King Jr., Paul and his future father-in-law went to Selma, Alabama in 1965, to join fellow clergy in registering voters and standing with civil right leaders to protest racial injustice occurring in the South. Paul fell in love with his boss's daughter, Margaret Entwisle, and they wed in Endicott on June 25, 1966.

The next year, Paul and Margaret moved to Santa Cruz where he was the assistant at Calvary Church and chaplain at UCSC.

In 1969, Paul became Pastor at the Church of the Good Shepherd in Corral de Tierra, Salinas - moving into Toro Park the very day their first son, John, was born in Santa Cruz. Paul and Margaret helped grow Good Shepherd, a small mission church, into a dynamic Christian community with more than 200 active members. Their family also grew with the births of sons, Mark and David. A highlight of Paul's time at Good Shepherd was bringing the church to full parish status - marked by a spectacular celebration at Grace Cathedral in San Francisco. Another highlight was an extended sabbatical Paul took to the Holy Land. But best by far was the 16 years of sharing life with his parishioners, his friends. Paul also served periodically as a part-time chaplain at York School in Monterey for more than 40 years.

In 1984, Paul left Good Shepherd to become chaplain, teacher, coach and pastor at All Saints' Day School in Carmel Valley. During his 17 years at All Saints', he nurtured, entertained, and inspired hundreds of young people, their parents, and the school's staff. For many, Paul became the "heart" of the school, and went on to perform numerous marriage and baptism ceremonies for grateful alumni.

Paul retired in 2001 and began his "third career" focusing on conservation, hiking, his spiritual life and continued service to others. He concentrated on preserving the wild beauty of the Big Sur Coast, the Ventana Wilderness, and Marks Ranch. He was a Board Member of The Big Sur Land Trust and was especially committed to the Ventana Wilderness Alliance conservation organization. He explored the Ventana Wilderness extensively and connected with many longtime residents to discover its history. His passion for hiking the Ventana led him to publish two comprehensive books describing abandoned trails and camps of this rugged area: "Lost Camps of the Ventana" and "Invisible Camps of the Ventana." He will be remembered as a Ventana Legend.

Though officially retiring in 2001, Paul continued to serve his community by ministering to the residents and staff of Carmel Valley Manor and Madonna Manor; delivering donations for Nancy's Project; and preaching and leading studies at St. Joseph's Church.

Paul loved sports, music, hiking, camping, traveling, reading and exploring. He was always inquisitive; loved learning and challenging his mind. He was a kind and gentle serving soul, full of curiosity, caring, humor, and love, which he shared generously with others.

Known as "Father Paul" to hundreds in the Monterey Bay area, Paul had a unique ability to form meaningful personal connections. Paul will live on in the hearts and the good deeds of the many people whose lives he touched. He will be greatly missed.

Paul is survived by his wife, Margaret; his three sons, John, Mark, and David; his daughters-in-law, Kristen and Margaret; and his three grandchildren, Kai, Ruby, and Madelyn.

A Memorial service will be held at 12:00 p.m. on Saturday, April 2, 2016, at St. Joseph's Catholic Church, 1 Railroad Ave., Spreckels, CA 93962. The family asks that, in lieu of flowers, donations be made in Paul's memory to the Ventana Wilderness Alliance (http://www.ventanawild.org - 831-423-3191).

Funeral arrangements by Struve and Laporte. www.struveandlaporte.com