Paul Mares

Paul was surrounded by his loving family when he passed peacefully on October 4, 21014 at the Colorado State Veterans Home in Aurora. Paul was born in Denver, Colorado, September 30, 1928 at his family home in East Denver to Albert and Emma Mares, who went on to have a total of nine children. He attended Sacred Heart and Annunciation High School where he excelled in academics and sports, playing basketball and football, making All Parochial in both sports. He honorably served in the Army Liberation Forces in Japan from 1946 to 1948 during which he was awarded a World War II Victory Medal as well as an Army of Occupation Medal. He received a certificate of apprenticeship from the State of Colorado in the trade of plasterer in 1953. In 1977 Paul received a Bachelor of Science in Education from the University of Colorado. He was a very proud volunteer for the Veteran of Foreign Wars for many years and received honors as a top salesman for the Buddy Poppy in 1992. He was also was a member of the Paralyzed Veterans of America. Paul bravely faced much tragedy and heartache throughout his life, the most traumatic event being a car accident in 1959. The accident not only took the life of first wife Bella (Beal), but also left him in a coma, brain damaged, paralyzed on his left side and blind in his right eye. But Paul was a great man of faith and a devout Catholic, who prayed the rosary daily. He never gave up and never complained. He was a proud father to both William Paul (Billy), known to family as “Chickie”, and his daughter Mary. Ironically, in 1974, he lost his son in a car accident. God blessed him with his second wife and lifelong caregiver Dora Montoya, whom he fell in love with after he saw her working at the bingo hall at Annunciation. They were married in 1963 and would have been celebrating 51 years this coming November. For the past two years Paul lived in a nursing home, fortunately it was the VA Nursing Home at Fitzsimons. He was always very grateful and fiercely defended the VA for taking care of him all of these years since his accident. Paul never met a stranger. He instantly became friends with everyone, always had a joke for them and loved hearing one. His laughter was medicine to us all. His friendships were life-long and he and Dora enjoyed attending many Annunciation class reunions and luncheons until it became too difficult for him to go, but he always called and sent cards to his dear friends. He had a love/hate relationship with the Denver Broncos and in later years he defiantly and shamelessly supported the Raiders, mostly just to get a rise out of Anyone who loved the great orange and blue. He was loved by all who knew him and was a mentor to his nieces and nephews. He was an inspiration on how to live your life and taught everyone to be grateful for every day. He gave back, volunteered and made a difference. Back in the day he was quite a dancer and was a collector and lover of jazz. He appreciated all the greats including Miles Davis, John Coltrane, The Tijuana Brass, Benny Goodman, Ella Fitzgerald, Artie Shaw, Stan Kenton, Dave Brubeck, Frank Sinatra, Ray Charles, Tony Bennett…on and on goes an endless list and he shared his love of that wonderful music with everyone he came in contact with. Whenever we hear those wonderful songs, it will always bring back memories of a man who valued good music, family, friends and showing gratitude for everything in his life. Some of his last words were “I love you Dora,” and “Thank you for being here.” Paul was strong and brave, up to the very end when sadly he lost his battle to the same cancer that took his brother Eloy (Celia). His parents, brother Dave (Gloria) and his sisters Rita (Tony) and Loretta (Bell) also preceded him. He is survived by brothers Rick (Cruz), Al (Viola), Jerry (Rachel), Joe(Rose) and numerous nieces and nephews. Even though Paul suffered through a lot of sadness and challenges in his life, he brought so much joy to everyone along the way. He will be loved, missed, and remembered as a most beautiful man, who was kind, positive, and who possessed a generous spirit and loving heart. He is suffering no more, is finally at peace and surrounded in heaven by loved ones. We will always love you. You are in our hearts forever. God bless and rest in peace Paul. In lieu of flowers, please make donations to Paralyzed Veterans of America.