PAUL A. RIFFEL

Paul Arthur Riffel Sr. Nov. 12, 1935 - Sept. 8, 2014 FULLERTON, CA - Paul Arthur Riffel Sr. of Fullerton, CA, born 78 years ago, joined Liz, his wife of 35 years, in Heaven on Monday, September 8th. Paul was born in Detroit, MI, and eventually moved with his family including his parents, the late Arthur and Lucille Riffel, and his 3 surviving siblings: Helen Chavanne, Colleen Swanson and Andy Riffel, to South Bend, IN, where he eventually graduated from Washington Clay High School in 1953.

Soon he enlisted in the US Army and with the aid of the GI Bill was able to complete his Bachelor and Master's degrees at the University of Notre Dame. He continued his career as a teacher at Christ the King Catholic School where he became smitten with a fellow teacher named Liz Cain, whom he married in 1963. They moved to Fullerton, CA, in 1965 and while raising their growing family, Paul received a Doctorate of Philosophy degree in Education from Claremont Graduate School. Paul's life was devoted to his Catholic faith, his family, friends, and charitable organizations like The Catholic Worker, Rosary High School, St. Jude Medical Center and others.

He loved the Fighting Irish almost as much as he loved his eleven surviving grandchildren: Matthew, Connor, Jack, Gracie, Lillijane, Kate, Mary, Ashton, Elizabeth, Kathleen and Ben, who all adored him. To them he will always be remembered as their "Papa" who loved to sneak cookies and ice cream to them when the parents weren't looking. He is survived by his five children: Colleen Martinez, Paul Riffel Jr, Kathleen Clewett, Beth Cavenaugh and Ann Marshall, along with a community that will remember him fondly.

He was a man with a generous spirit who loved the beach, visiting all his family in South Bend annually, going to Starbucks and dancing. He enjoyed singing karaoke, golfing, and painting, and he was always there to help. Paul was a man you could depend on and he will live forever in our hearts.

The Rosary will be held at 7:00 pm on Wednesday, October 22nd, at St. Juliana Church in Fullerton, CA. A Celebration of Life Funeral Mass will be held at St. Juliana Church on Thursday, Oct. 23rd, at 11:00 am. Bright clothing and Hawaiian attire are encouraged. A reception will follow in the parish center. In lieu of flowers, the family requests that donations be made payable to Isaiah House (aka: the Catholic Worker) at 316 South Cypress Ave., Santa Ana, CA 92701.

Published by South Bend Tribune on Sep. 26, 2014.

05/14/2023 EJS

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