Paul Raymond Gierek joined his parents, Michael and Gertrude Gierek, as well as his brother Michael Gierek, and sisters Helen Scuri and Mary Hoffman, on 21 December, 2023. He is survived by one brother, John Gierek, Sr.

Paul was born on April 2nd, 1936. He lived his entire life in his Elk River family home. He attended Nazareth Academy as a child, and graduated from Eureka High School. He then graduated from Humboldt State College with both Bachelor’s and Master’s Degrees. He immediately began teaching, the profession he loved. He retired later as Superintendent of South Bay Union School District.

He loved to travel, especially with his older sister Helen. In later years, the traveling centered on Reno and Las Vegas for the “monetary” opportunities as well as watching the bull riding at the National Finals Rodeo. Paul loved the ranch way of living.

He was an avid reader of history, especially scholarly work centered on the United States and the American West. He was a baseball fanatic - especially concerning himself with all things Los Angeles Dodgers.

He was never married, but befriended everyone he had the opportunity to meet. No one was a stranger, and he loved talking with them regularly up until the end of his life. Amazingly, he still corresponded with past students and those he met during his travels.

Paul was a devoted Catholic, and loved the Christmas season. In fact, he would decorate beginning in August, and maintain the season well into spring. He was adamant to be up and around to celebrate this season. It is fitting, I suppose, that his end happened when he realized he physically couldn’t do it.

His surviving family love and miss him.

The family wishes to thank Frye’s Care Home, Hospice of Humboldt, and Redwood Memorial Hospital. Especially, though, a big thank you to Tom and Pennie Gierek, who worked tirelessly on his behalf for years.

A Mass of Christian Burial will be held at 10 a.m. on Tuesday, January 2 at St. Bernard Church.