Lemoore's Anthony 'Tony' John Paulo, one of town's upstanding citizens, dies at the age of 88

Tony grew up working very hard on his family’s dairy.  At Lemoore High School, he excelled in basketball, playing on the 1949 Valley Championship team.  His plan to attend college was disrupted when he was drafted into the United States Army to fight in the Korean War. He was seriously wounded in June 1952 and spent 27 months recovering in three army hospitals. While in the third, Letterman Army Hospital in San Francisco, he met hospital volunteer Therese Lippert, with whom he would share over 50 years of marriage, six children and 18 grandchildren.

Tony’s first job was selling Fords in Lemoore, followed by a stint as manager of Joe’s Liquors. He later bought “The Bottle Shop” in downtown Lemoore, operating it for many years until he could no longer work.  He loved his family and his community and took great joy in supporting MIQ School, St Peter’s Church, and Lemoore High School.  He was an active member of the Fraternal Order of Eagles, the Knights of Columbus, and the IDES. 

Although facing frequent pain and physical challenges from his war injuries, Tony was the quintessential optimist. He took great pleasure in the little joys in life, especially treasuring time spent with his children, beloved grandchildren, and many friends. He loved sports, especially the 49ers, and attended hundreds of his children’s and grandchildren’s sporting events.  The highlight of his day was morning coffee with his friends at Rocky’s Donuts, where he kept up with the news (aka gossip) of the day.

He and Therese also had the opportunity to travel to many places throughout the world, usually accompanied by children and/or grandchildren. An avid reader until the last few years of his life, Tony loved westerns and newspapers, and was introduced to a wide variety of fiction by his grandchildren. Tony will always be remembered as a thoughtful, patient, and faithful father, grandfather, husband and friend.

Tony is survived by his children:  Leo (Young-Ae) of Camarillo, CA; Monica of Bismarck, ND; Gene (Lisa) of Prunedale, CA; Dan (Suzanne) of Keller, TX; Germaine Walsh (Jeff) of Schertz, TX; and Gemma Tedesco (Dave) of Paradise Valley, AZ. He is survived by his grandchildren Chris, Gus, Luke, Damon, Joe, Kiera, Blaise, Meghan, Dominic, Juli, Isaac, Anthony, Max, Zach, Darian, Dylan, Dakota and Darby. He is also survived by his sister Theresa Irigaray of Hanford, CA, as well as a multitude of nieces and nephews.

Tony was preceded in death by his beloved wife, Therese, as well as by his sisters, Mary DeRose and Laura Paulo, and brothers, Manuel, Domingo, and George Paulo.

Visitation was held on Thursday, January 3 at Phipps-Dale Funeral Chapel in Lemoore. A Vigil Rosary Service was held at on Thursday, January 3, at Phipps-Dale Chapel.  A Mass of Christian Burial was held Friday, January 4th, at 10 a.m. at St Peter’s Catholic Church in Lemoore with burial to follow at

Lemoore Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, remembrances may be made to MIQ School, 884 N. Lemoore Ave., Lemoore, CA 93245, www.miqschool.com.