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| Senior picture at AUC. |
Paul Nazario was born on
June 22, 1922 to Andres and Susana Nazario in Puerto Rico. He was the third of
9 children. Dr. Dunscomb, who delivered Dad, encouraged Andres to bring his
family to the US, so when Dad was a young child the family migrated and settled
in Melrose Mass.
Dad graduated from Melrose
High School in 1940. In the fall
of that year he enrolled in Atlantic Union College but six months later he was
drafted into the Navy. Because of
his terrible seasickness he asked to be put in another branch of the
service. Dad was honorably
discharged from the Navy and three days later drafted into the Army where he
served as a Medic in France.
After Dad’s tour of duty was
completed he went back to AUC to complete his BA degree. While there he met Anne Elizabeth
Ferris, a beautiful young nursing student, and decided he’d better keep
her. They were married September
11, 1949. Thomas Paul was born 1 year later.
After Dad’s graduation he
moved his new family to California in a one-wheeled trailer. That is an interesting story. Needless to say the trailer didn’t make
it to Loma Linda CA but they did. Dad enrolled in the Physical Therapy program
at LLU. In 1953 Dad graduated from Physical Therapy and Susanne Louise was
born. Dad decided to switch careers
on the advice of a beloved teacher so he entered the second class at the new
School of Dentistry at LLU.
Stephen John was born in
1957. Not sure how that happened as Mom worked nights while Dad studied and
went to school during the day. In 1958 Dad graduated and moved his family to
Arroyo Grande and set up practice in the old theater building on Broadway in
Santa Maria. James Edward was born
in 1960, (the last of the most beautiful children born to any one. Well, until
the grandchildren started showing up.)
Dad eventually moved his
office to Chapel Street where he practiced his Dentistry until he retired.
In 1967 Dad and Mom built
their home in Lake Marie, just outside of Santa Maria. It has been their home
for the past 47 years. Here Dad
enjoyed golfing, traveling, riding his bike, photography, baseball (and other
sports),crafting fine furniture, and working in the yard. He loved his home and family along with
being a big support to the Arroyo Grande Junior Academy and church and Loma
Linda School of Dentistry. He
built the steeple for the church that still stands today.
Dad retired in 1987. He did a lot of traveling with Mom in
and out of the country. There are photo albums full of their adventures with
their friends or family. As the
years rolled by Dad preferred staying home more and spent a lot of time in his
“orchard”. He shared his bounty
with anyone who would take it. He
often took boxes of fruit down to the Salvation Army or Food Center or to give
away at church.
Dad suffered from terrific
pain in his knees, probably from being a catcher on his baseball team in high
school and in the army. This
slowed him down in the later years, but if asked how he was feeling he would
always say, “I feel fine!” We are
seriously considering having that statement engraved on his Urn! He rarely
complained about his physical being.
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Dad was also very patriotic.
He loved listening to the Mormon Tabernacle choir sing “The Battle Hymn of the
Republic” and “God Bless America”. He would tear up as he listened to them. He loved his country
and we were very appreciative for his service.
On March 14, 2014 Dad passed
away peacefully at the Gentle Care Home. He had the chance to see each of his
children and some grandchildren and share a special time with them in the few
weeks and months preceding his death. We feel blessed to have had him as our
Dad and he will be missed greatly.
But we know that we will be reunited at the resurrection. So - until then, rest in peace
Dad. We love you.
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