Hi my name is Ashley. I am the daughter of James San Paolo. It is with such a heavy and deeply saddened heart that we share the passing of my dad James San Paolo on Dec. 19th 2025. My dad was admitted into the ER as he was feeling unwell. After Ct Scans, Blood work, several tests etc. the hospital decided to admit him for suspection of an infection somewhere in his body as his WBC was high. After a few days it was determined he had sepsis and had also suffered a few mini strokes. He was given antibiotics for several days. After further testing it was also determined that my dad had an infection in his heart valve. (Endocarditis) We were then informed he would need a heart valve replacement as his heart valve had caused vegetation. However, he was not able to have the surgery until he had a negative blood culture which could take several weeks. So we waited, having faith and praying. Due to the infection in his heart, his lungs were beginning to fill with fluid and he was needing oxygen and to have a few liters of fluids removed from his lungs for a few days. His blood pressure also started lowering and certain testing he needed to be done before surgery had to wait. He was moved to ICU Wednesday night and they then gave him an angiogram. We were informed that he would need the surgery faster than they anticipated and the following morning he finally had a negative blood culture and he was scheduled for his heart valve replacement Monday, Dec. 22nd (My brother Eric’s birthday). We were hopeful and so happy to hear he finally had a surgery date scheduled!! Despite the hospital stay my dad was talking, and overall seemed to be feeling okay despite his situation he remained his humorous self. Although the hospital was so foreign to him as he was never admitted into the hospital as he’s overall been a relatively healthy guy his whole life. Being the huge outdoors person that he is, it did give him the blues to be stuck inside with no sunshine which he loved and enjoyed long walks and bike rides daily… He expressed that on several occasions and would ask us to come pick him up. But we reminded him the importance of getting well. (Due to the small strikes he did have moments of confusion) Although he was still making plans, talking about all the things we would do when he was well again and he was just ready to get back to life after making a full recovery that we all hoped and prayed for. Unfortunately we never expected that not to happen and we got a call at around 2am Dec. 19th that he had to be resuscitated as his heart suddenly stopped. My brother Jimmy had to make the decision to continue to attempt to resuscitate him as they were able to put him on life support the first time but then his heart stopped again. I got the final call and being that it was my decision to continue to resuscitate him I couldn’t help but have faith and was praying for a miracle.. They attempted but unfortunately 15 minutes later I received the call I never expected or wanted to hear… my father unfortunately passed away… his heart stopped. It broke me. It broke all of us. He was just fine hours prior. Nothing alarming. The drs, nurses all expressed their deepest sympathy and that they too were shocked and did not expect this. And while we may never fully understand how or why our dad even got this infection to begin which lead to everything else, we have to know in our hearts GOD called him home and trust in his timing

My dad was an amazing Father of 5, and a grandfather to 13 grandchildren. His whole life revolved around us all and his devotion to us never went unnoticed. . He came from a family of 8. He loved his mom, dad and siblings dearly. My dad had the biggest most genuine, giving, loving, heart. He was such a free-spirit, easygoing, funny, and a one of a kind soul!! He loved to laugh, bbq, drink his beer, listen to classic rock and just enjoyed life and the great outdoors!! Being around him was so always so peaceful. I know my dad is at peace now and reunited with his father and my brother Eric. He will be deeply missed and never forgotten. His memory will live in all

of us.

We are starting this fund to help with all the expenses to cremate our father and to give him a beautiful memorial service. We plan to cremate him and following that we will plan services for him late January in California. This allows me time to deliver my baby and all of my siblings time to make their way out to his services along with other family out of state to attend.

Every contribution, no matter the size, will help provide stability and support to our grieving family during this incredibly difficult time. Please keep our family in your thoughts and prayers as we navigate this incredibly challenging time.

Thank you for your love, generosity, and prayers for the San Paolo family. Your support is so deeply appreciated!