Obituary of Paul Della Santina

Lifelong resident, and true gentleman Paul Della Santina passed away surrounded by his immediate family on Friday January 26, 2018 at Good Samaritan Hospital in Los Gatos. Born March 6, 1945, raised and retired in Santa Cruz, Paul lived a beautiful and loving life, raising three daughters, travelling to 28 islands with white sandy beaches, and tending to a lovely garden with his wife Sally of fifty years. Son of Domenico and Nora Della Santina, Paul graduated from Santa Cruz High, attended Cabrillo College, served 4 years in the US Air force, and worked for over 47 years as a purchasing manager in the banking industry and with the SC Seaside Co. A familiar face of Santa Cruz, compassionate, joyful and loved by all who knew him. Paul's smile and twinkling blue (sometimes green) eyes would light up the room. With his youthful charm and tender heart, he had many friends locally as well as around the world while travelling. Paul met Sally when he asked her to dance in December 1967 at a downtown social lounge. They were married in Santa Cruz on Sept 15, 1968. They continued dancing socially until their twin daughters went to college and later married. They then became serious ballroom dancers for over 20 years, made many new friendships and participated in many ballroom dance cruises. Annual vacations to New York City for Broadway shows, music and food in the French Quarter,and swimming in the turquoise sea and relaxing on the soft sandy beaches of the Caribbean Islands, Hawaii, Mexico, and Belize kept the two tan and up on the latest Broadway/foodie scenes. Paul loved life, people, animals, beaches, dancing and monarch butterflies. But most of all he cherished his close family and friends. He would do absolutely anything at anytime for his daughters, their spouses, his grandchildren and friends. Santa Cruz and the world has lost a kindhearted and gracious human being, honorable Air Force member and most of all kind, funny and loving husband to Sally, father to Brenda (Michael Haworth), Natalie (Greg Cope) and Nicole (Kenny Iams), grandfather to Clark, Gavin and Ethan, He will be deeply missed, always loved and cherished forever. Paul was preceded in death by brothers, Louie and Rico Della Santina. Per Paul's request, no funeral service will be held. A party will be held at a later date. Charitable contributions in Paul's memory may be made to Make a Wish Foundation or to Jacob's Heart. Please visit the Benito and Azzaro homepage to share your condolences.