Paul Wyman Repath

Sept. 12, 1929 – March 12, 2017

Paul Wyman Repath was born on Sept. 12, 1929 in Hollywood, California to Charles Jasper Repath and Margaret Lucile Wyman. He grew up in La Cañada and graduated from Pasadena Junior College in 1947. He was promptly drafted by the Army and saw combat in the Korean War. After his tour of duty, he spent nine months touring Europe with an old friend, Bud Sheedy. He worked at Lockheed until he went into the swimming pool business.

In 1954, Paul met Shirley Pinch, who had just moved out from Iowa, and they were married in October 1957. They settled in Altadena until 1960 when they moved to La Cañada. In 1961 and 1962 they were blessed with two daughters, Leslie and Lyn (Cece). Paul could fix anything and continuously remodeled their home on La Forest Drive.

Paul worked as a swimming pool technician for over 35 years and transformed pool cleaning with his Repath Manufacturing Ring Jet Leaf Vacuum. He was an avid skier, golfer, bowler and loved body surfing at Santa Monica beach as well as motorcycle riding in the desert. Other hobbies included making model airplanes, hunting firewood and mowing his lawn.

In 1990, they opened an oak furniture store in Sun City, driving there every day for 14 years. To get them closer to home they opened a store in La Cañada in 2004 on Foothill Boulevard in property owned by Norbert Olberz.

Paul was a man about town and kept all his family, friends and acquaintances entertained with his pranks, crazy antics and loud, boisterous manner. He supported his children’s and grandchildren’s endeavors: cheering for their track and baseball teams as well as analyzing the engineering feats of robotics teams. He resisted electronic technology and felt old school mechanics were best.

Paul and Shirley followed Leslie and her family to the West Cajon Valley in January 2007. He found camaraderie at Rick’s Café, and enjoyed teasing friends at Stater Bros, Pizza Factory, and others in Phelan. He thoroughly enjoyed outings on El Mirage Dry Lake to watch the SCTA Lakesters.

Paul died of natural causes at home in the West Cajon Valley on Sunday, March 12 at the age of 87. His wife of 59 years, Shirley, passed away one week after, on March 19.

Paul is survived by his children, Leslie Repath Foxvog (Paul) and Lyn Repath-Martos (Antonio); and four grandchildren: Brian & Danie Foxvog, Isabel & Lucas Martos-Repath.

Memorial gifts may be made to the Southern California Timing Association (SCTA) at Office@scta-bmi.org or mailed to P.O. Box 10, Orosi, CA 93647.

Shirley Ann (Pinch) Repath

Feb. 4, 1936 – March 19, 2017

Shirley Ann Repath, nee Pinch, was born to Harry and Josephine Pinch on Feb. 4, 1936 in Marion, Iowa. In her youngest years, her family moved from Iowa to join family in El Sereno, California but after a family loss, they moved back to Marion in 1943. Shirley enjoyed serving on the editorial board of the school paper and holding class leadership positions; she graduated valedictorian of her class from Marion High School in 1953. Shirley returned to California shortly after her graduation.

Early in her professional career, Shirley held administrative positions at Vromans School Book Depository, CEC and Electodata in Pasadena. Shirley was involved in St. Elizabeth’s Catholic Church Youth Organization, where she met her future husband Paul Repath. Their lengthy courtship included bowling, skiing and social outings with a large circle of friends. Married in October 1957, Shirley and Paul first settled in Altadena. In 1960, they bought their dream home in La Cañada on La Forest Drive. Blessed with two daughters, Leslie (1961) and Lyn (aka “Cece,” 1962), Shirley spent long hours converting her backyard from a rock strewn flood plain into a tiered, verdant garden, designing a landscape that was both functional and perfect for both entertaining and neighborhood football games. Additional passions at the time included designing and sewing unique fashions for Barbie dolls, knitting baby clothes for her daughters and friends, and sharing home improvement projects with Paul.

Shirley rejoined the workforce as a bookkeeper in 1973 for Banister’s Fine Shoes in Glendale. As her girls grew more independent, Shirley transitioned to a full-time accounting position with Reed Stenhouse Insurance, the beginning of a 15-year career in insurance accounting. In 1990, Shirley and Paul opened their own business in Sun City, California; “Oak Furniture Outlet” served the growing communities of Murrieta, Temecula, Lake Elsinore and Hemet, and Shirley greatly enjoyed advising her customers on decorating and furnishing new homes. After 14 years of commuting, and to get closer to their La Cañada home, Shirley and Paul opened “Curios, Clocks and Curiosities” on Foothill Boulevard in 2004 in a small storefront that formerly housed the TV Lab and administrative offices of Sport Chalet.

In January 2007, Shirley and Paul retired from business and followed Leslie and her family to the West Cajon Valley. They both enjoyed the rural life of the high desert and witnessing their grandchildren grow up and become independent.

Shirley died of heart failure at home on Sunday, March 19 at the age of 81. Her husband of 59 years, Paul, preceeded her in death by one week, on March 12.

Shirley is survived by her daughters, Leslie Repath Foxvog (Paul) and Lyn Repath-Martos (Antonio); and four grandchildren: Brian & Danie Foxvog, Isabel & Lucas Martos-Repath.

We rejoice and celebrate her special life as wife, mother, grandmother and friend to many. Memorial gifts may be made to the American Heart Association.