Paul A. Meaney, Sr.
Resident of Novato
Our family is sad to announce the passing of our beloved father, Paul Aloysius Meaney. He passed away at home at age 93, peacefully in his sleep on July 8th. He was proud to call Novato his home for the past 55 years, and he was a long time parishioner of St. Anthony of Padua Catholic Church.
Dad was born in Everett, MA, on March 28, 1930. He was a child of the Great Depression, something he never forgot throughout his life. Dad lost both his parents at a young age, and immediately bore the responsibility of taking care of his three younger siblings. When he was a teenager, Dad moved to So. California with his aunt and uncle, graduating from Venice High School in 1948. After graduation, he fell in love with the woman he would go on to marry, Dolores Mitzel, whom he met at the drive-in concession stand in Culver City. They were happily married for 69 years.
Dad worked in Industrial Relations at Hughes Aircraft and at the Aerospace Corporation for the next two decades. In 1968, the family moved to Novato where Dad was appointed by Governor Ronald Reagan to chair the CA Fair Employment Practice Committee. In 1973, he was then appointed as a member to the CA Youth Authority Parole Board where he served under both Governors Reagan and Jerry Brown.
However, his proudest moments came outside of the office. He loved Novato and his neighbors. Dad was known as the “Donut King” to the kids on his street and delivered donuts every Saturday morning after finishing his morning jog.
Dad loved sports, especially ice hockey, baseball, and basketball. Although the Boston Red Sox were his true love, he also became a fan of the L.A. Dodgers while living in So. California - much to the discontent of his Giants loving wife! Dad also loved to attend the Oakland A’s games when the Boston Red Sox were in town. During the game, it would only be a matter of minutes before Dad had made friends with those sitting around him. His game companions would include his family, grandkids, son-in-law, and most often, the neighborhood kids. Dad would stay after the games ended so the kids could get autographs as the players left the clubhouse. One neighbor recalled a story when Dad took a group after the game to a local hotel where the Red Sox were staying. Some of the players were in the lounge, and Dad didn’t skip a beat! He took the kids directly into the bar where they were successful in obtaining cherished autographs. This was a life time memory for these kids, who now as adults, retell the story with laughter.
As an avid and friendly jogger, he met many people on his daily 2.5 mile jog. Dad also ran yearly in the Bay of Breakers race in San Francisco with his son, Paul. Dad did this well into his 70’s! Not only was he a beloved father figure in the neighborhood but all of Novato! Affectionally called “The Candy Man," Dad never left the house without candy overflowing from his pockets.
When the Meaney children finished high school and moved out, Mom and Dad started attending the Lady Hornet Basketball games. Not only did Dad give candy to the team after the game, but for years, he drew posters for each player showing their personal accomplishments with words of encouragement. Ask any player from the late 1980’s to the early 2000’s about Paul Meaney, and we guarantee they will remember him! For several years, the girls basketball team hosted a tournament in our parent’s honor. On June 13, 2014, Dad was the proud recipient of the Block N Award in recognition of his dedicated service and contributions to Novato High School sports, as well as the investment in each student whose life he touched. He was very honored to receive this award.
Dad was preceded in death by his wife, Dolores (1933-2020). He is survived by his four children: Debbie Lane (Bob), Paul Meaney, Jr (Chase), Chris Meaney (Rebecca), and Lori Meaney. Dad was a devoted grandfather to Angela, Christine, Julie, Brian, Lisa, and Patrick. He also had six great grandchildren: Bella, Ariel, Jasmine, Emily, JT, and Mia. Dad is survived by his sister, Anne Marie O’Shea.
The family is forever grateful to Dr. Timothy Murphy for his above and beyond personal care and genuine compassion that he showed to our father. The family would also like to acknowledge Dad’s caregiver for the past few years, our sister, Lori. We appreciate the excellent care she gave Dad.
A date for a Celebration of Life in honor of both parents is still to be determined.