Born on April 7, 1954, Paul was the second child and first born son to Phil and Reva Norris.  With an older sister, Karen, half brother Steve, and two younger siblings, Judy and Ted, Paul grew up and went to school in Culver City, California.  

Smart and handsome, with a wicked sense of humor, Paul was an exceptional athlete who found his love for sports at an early age.  A 5'7" point-guard for the Culver High Centaurs, he had no idea he was short!  His love for basketball only grew more intense under the watchful eye of his coach and mentor John Altamura, but his natural abilities extended to other sports as well.  Paul was well known for finessing the position of shortstop on his high school baseball team.  With diving catches and balletic leaps, it was hard to watch another player on the field.

Paul attended UCLA during the Wooden Era, graduating with a Bachelor of Arts degree in psychology, in 1976.  A Baby Boomer by right of birth, he was proud to be part of a generation that worked to gain civil rights, changed the draft, embraced Rock and Roll and saw Barack Obama become the first African American president.  

In 1978, Paul married Marlene, and the couple would soon be delighted with the birth of their first son, Nicholas Joseph. Twenty months later, Jonathan Paul joined the family of three, but somehow their story just didn't seem complete. In 1985, Tanner Elliott was born, and Paul's license plate,
MY 3 SNZ, quickly became a recognizable landmark around the town of Valencia.

An entrepreneurial spirit led Paul to a number of successful careers.  After graduating with an MBA from Long Beach State University, Paul joined his father and brother in the family business of building and land development. After twelve years, he decided to pursue his dream of owning and operating an Italian restaurant.  In 1993, Pauli's was born!  An instant sensation, Pauli's served up a deilightful variety of pizza, pasta, and speciallty fare. His business model was sincere and reminiscent of a charming mom-pop establishment.  

Eager to explore the beauty of the Pacific Northwest and make a change, Paul moved with his family to Vancouver, Washingtion. He found a job that matched his interest in outreach, working as director of the Clark County YMCA.  Paul was excited to learn about the community he served and was a natural leader in creating and implementing new youth programs.  It was in the emerald forest that Paul began to work as a basketball referee, an activity that would bring him great joy until the end of his life.

With his family homesick, Paul decided to return to the Santa Clarita Valley where he signed up for "early retirement."  He kept himselft busy and involved as a substitute teacher and basketball referee, a calling of leadership and example he was willing to share.  His stripes were quick when he ran the court, anxious to keep up with the heartbeats of the future.  He offered wisdom and kindness and a firm whistle, both on the court and in the classroom.  Always fair and willing to listen, he was a favorite among students and teachers from second grade to sixth. 

Paul was the anchor and the rock, the voice of calm that kept our family grounded in truth. He found pleasure in the simplest parts of life: planting his garden, riding his peugeot, reading a best seller from the library, and spending Sunday afternoons on the Barbque.

We will remember his smile, the twinkle of his eye, and the bounce in his Nikes
Forever!