James Winston Paige

James Winston Paige Jr was born in San Francisco, California on June 29, 1944. He is the eldest of four children born to Bertha Lee (Vaughan) Paige and Reverend James Winston Paige Sr. James grew up in a family where love of God, family and human kind were values of daily living. His parents were active in the community and church where teaching, preaching and serving others was second nature. As a preacher?s kid, James learned to serve and work in the church in many capacities. In 1962, James graduated from Monterey High School. He enjoyed playing football and boxing. He later became a resident of Oakland, California conducting janitorial services before he was drafted to serve his country in the Army?s 41st Light Weapons Infantry in Vietnam from 1967 to 1969. Upon his return from the service, James attended Monterey Peninsula College and worked several jobs. In 1972, he married the love of his life, Bernadine ?Birdie? Acevedo and gained a son, Anthony Olan Hayes, whom he loved and raised as his own. To that union was born two daughters, Tanesia and Chinyere Paige. James and Birdie were happily married for 28 years before her life ended to a battle with cancer. In June 2009, James was remarried to Debra Elaine Blanchard in which he inherited another wonderful family with whom he loved dearly. In 1975, he was employed by Stahl Motors Mercedes Benz as a mechanic, where he worked for many years before pursuing an education in technical school for Journeyman Electrician. He became one of the first African Americans to complete this apprenticeship through the International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers. After 30 years of being an electrician, he finally retired as an Electrical Supervisor from CalTrans in December 2007. James was always happiest when surrounded by his family and was a proud devoted husband, father, uncle, and grandfather. James loved to take his family traveling, camping, experiencing theatre arts, sports games, and showed strong support to all of the youth in the family. He made electrical, plumbing, and car repairs for those in need, and helped elderly and disabled neighbors maintain the upkeep of their homes. He lived by his own motto, ?Do what you say you are going to do and do it to the best of your ability.? Impossible was not in his vocabulary and he inspired others to never give up. James was a role model and mentor to young men and young women. He was an assistant coach for the Pop Warner football team Apaches from 1973 to 1990 and an assistant coach for the Seaside Allstars and SeaStars Girls Softball teams for many years. James was also the Treasurer for Manzanita Elementary School PTA for a number of years and advocated for a cafeteria to be built for the students. James had a contagious soulful laugh, big strong hands, the best hugs to greet or comfort you and a great sense of humor. He was preceded in death by his parents: Bertha and Reverend James Paige Sr.; his wife: Bernadine ?Birdie? Paige; his mother-in-law: Sara Acevedo; father-in-law: Dario Acevedo; his sister-in-laws: Helen Avila and Claudia Acevedo Leibert; and his cousin and best friend: Claudell Vaughan Sr. James leaves to celebrate his amazing life, his wife: Debra Elaine (Blanchard) Paige, his children: Anthony Olan Hayes, Tanesia R Paige Balumbu (Bobby) and Chinyere N. Paige and step-children: Teresa Shellmon and Rhona Shellmon; nine grandchildren: Tony Macias Hayes, Michael Cummings, Danny Macias, David Macias, Eva Macias, Ebonecia Roberts, Zuryess Roberts, Taijon Roberts, and Lailah Paige Balumbu; and five great grandchildren: Donovon Bryant, Mateo Macias, Angelo Macias, Marcello Macias, and Meyleah Macias. His siblings: Henry Allen Paige (Jody), Joseph Paige (Jewell), and Zorethea Paige. James also leaves to cherish his memories five sister-in-laws: Janie Hargrove (Jerry), Linda Brown (Walt), Angie Builta (Ron), Denise DeLoach, and Dionne McBride (Michael); three brother-in-laws, Mitch Leibert (Claudia), Eddie Acevedo, and George Blanchard; an uncle: Summer Jay Vaughan (Pat)and; a host of nieces, nephews and cousins.