Paul Joseph Killorin Sr.

Paul Joseph Killorin Sr. was born November 28, 1928 in Pueblo, CO. He was the son of Mary (Popovich) and Paul J. Killorin and extremely proud of his Irish and Croatian roots. He died in Camas, WA on October 4, 2024, at the age of 95. Paul was a devoted husband, father, grandfather, uncle and friend.

He grew up in Portland, OR during the Great Depression and lost his own father when he was 6 years old. Soon after, Paul started delivering newspapers and doing odd neighborhood jobs to support his mother and two sisters.

After graduating from Central Catholic High School, Paul enlisted in the United States Army. He was first assigned to 1st Company Universal Military Training, Experimental Unit, Fort Knox, KY, and then attached to the 101st Airborne Division, serving as a drill sergeant. After completing his military service, Paul attended the University of Portland, earning a Bachelor of Arts degree in English Literature, while working for the Portland Fire Bureau. While teaching high school, he went on to earn two master’s degrees from University of Portland; one in Educational Administration and the other in English Literature. He later was selected to be one of the original founding faculty members of the brand new Portland Community College, where he taught for a full 30 years more.

Paul married Joan Harriet Liberman on July 1, 1961 in Madeleine Catholic Church.

They reared their family of four children in Northeast Portland and were long time members of The Madeleine Catholic Parish.

Paul spent his retirement doing work for the Catholic church. He was active in the Knights of Columbus, Sera Club and St. Vincent de Paul Society, and volunteered at Emmanuel Hospital in the Spirituality Care Department for 21 years as a Eucharistic minister. After Joan’s death in 2008, Paul moved to Calaroga Terrace where he served into his 90’s as the In-Residence Parish contact for Holy Rosary Church. At Calaroga he inaugurated weekly Mass on Saturdays and distributed communion to homebound residents.

Paul enjoyed vacationing at the Oregon coast and traveling in Europe and the Middle East, especially in Israel. Other pursuits included sports as a young man, going to the symphony, flying lessons and even parachuting. Paul’s most recent jump was to commemorate his 85th birthday!

He cherished his family and friends and was grateful for every kind gesture. He never passed up an opportunity to find joy in small things, share a story or express his contagious laugh and playful, spirited personality. He was deeply loved and will be greatly missed.

Paul is predeceased by his wife Joan in 2008 and his sisters Mary Elizabeth Killorin and Eleanor Osborn (Harvey). He is survived by his significant-other, Barb Fritz, children Anne Lewis (Jon), Kate Gratzer (Rick), Paul Killorin Jr. (PJ) and Kara Killorin; grandchildren Joshua and Alec Lewis, Sarah (Lewis) Engman, Audrey and Ella Gratzer, and Patrick, Hannah and Margaret Killorin Upkes. Paul treasured the role of grandfather, aka G-PA!

A rosary and funeral Mass will be held on Saturday, November 30th, 2024, at St Mary Magdalene Church (The Madeleine) in NE Portland. A Rosary will begin at 10:30AM followed by a funeral mass at 11AM. A reception will follow in the parish hall.

In lieu of flowers, please provide donations to St. Charles Catholic Church, Holy Rosary Church, Central Catholic High School, The Madeleine Parish, University of Portland or St. Vincent de Paul Council.