Western Diocese

With great sadness, we report the passing of Varnum Paul, Esq., at age 100, after a short illness. The repose of the soul service of Varnum Paul, Esq., will be held in the evening of October 5, 2008, at St. John Armenian Church of San Francisco, by Parish Priest Archpriest Fr. Sarkis Petoyan.

 

His Eminence Archbishop Hovnan Derderian, Primate, will preside over the funeral service of Varnum Paul, Esq., on October 6, 2008.

 

 

VARNUM PAUL, ESQ.

FOUNDING FATHER OF THE

WESTERN DIOCESE ENDOWMENT FUND

 

Varnum Paul was born in Lynn, Massachusetts in 1908 to immigrant parents, originally Bogoshian from Kharpert, and moved to Fresno with his family around 1917, to attend third grade. The First World War was still waging on.  The change of name from Bogoshian to Paul was circumstantial, in an effort to assuage hostilities.  At the time foreigners were not favorably looked upon and a name ending in ‘ian' betrayed alien roots.  Armenians in particular, were not held esteem in Fresno.

 

Young Varnum continued his studies through High School in Fresno, earning his diploma in 1926.  He then attended the University of California, Berkeley, and later their Law School, graduating with a JD in 1933.  Asked whether law was the career of his choice, he replied, "My mother decided that my brother would be a doctor and I would be a lawyer.  I did have options but I followed her directives."  It was as simple as that.

 

 Mr. Paul remained in San Francisco after graduation.  By then, his brother Barre Paul, who had completed his studies at the University of California Medical School in Berkeley and San Francisco, was residing in the city, so the remaining members of the family joined them there.  The country was deep into the Depression.  "I was lucky," says Paul, "to find a job in the legal department of an insurance company."  His "luck" might have had more to do with good grades and diligence than the graces of destiny.

 

After about three years, Paul decided to flex his wings and start his own practice in 1937 in partnership with Reginald Vaughan, Esq.   Mr. Paul remained in private practice until 1942 when patriotic service called him to duty in the Navy through 1946.  He served at different stations, from Alaska to New York, in various capacities.  In 1946, he returned to his private practice.  His partner, Vaughan retired in 1985, ceding his place to his relative, John Lyons, a graduate of Columbia University.

 

Varnum's work was not limited to office hours.  Shortly after graduation, he took up the task of reading the Bar Examinations of aspiring lawyers.  He was also appointed to the Instructional Staff at Golden Gate College Law School where he continued teaching law two nights a week for twenty years.

 

At home, every Sunday, Varnum assumed the responsibility of driving is mother to church, since she could not drive.  This consistent filial duty brought him in contact with the various church activities where he started participating first as a member, gradually growing into an active contributor, Parish Council member, Legal Advisor and any other roles where his talents and aptitudes could be put to good

 

Mr. Varnum Paul was a member of the Eastern Diocese Endowment Fund and at the time Fr. Artoon Sempadian was the Executive Secretary of the Fund. It soon became evident that one operation in the United States was not practical.  The Fund opted to have a separate and manageable operation for the Western States, with an unwritten demarcation line west of the Mississippi.  Funds received from the Eastern States would to the Eastern Diocese. Funds contributed by the Western States would be managed by the Western Diocese.  Thus, the seeds of the Western Diocese Endowment Fund were sown. Mr. Paul was directly instrumental in preparing the Declaration of Trustees Documents for the Western Diocese Endowment Fund.

 

Mr. Paul's experience with the Eastern Diocese and his legal background were ideal attributes to entrust him with the creation of the Western Diocese Endowment Fund (WDEF) and the preparation of the organizational Charter.  The entanglements inherent in the gestation and birth of a non-profit organization compliant with Federal and State regulations and concomitant with the Eastern Diocesan concepts and practices are monumental, but Mr. Paul took on the challenge, with the support of a few colleagues, and brought the project to success in 1980.

 

His dedication follows the philosophy that the Armenian Church is the foremost rallying point for Armenians and it is the cornerstone of our culture, customs and existence.  In his opinion, no other organization commands the same level of attraction.

 

In recognition for the exemplary leadership, dedication and unique philanthropy for the growth of the mission of the Armenian Church, His Holiness Karekin I, Supreme Patriarch and Catholicos of All Armenians, bestowed the highest honor to the two Paul Brothers; Varnum Paul, Esq. and Dr. Barre Paul, with the St. Gregory First Degree Medal of Honor, during His Holiness' Pontifical Visit to the Western Diocese in 1996.

 

Varnum Paul's multiple involvement in non-Armenian charitable organizations, his long-term service on the Board of Directors of Heald Colleges, his role as a trustee of the Rotary Club of the San Francisco Endowment Foundation and as attorney for the Masonic Homes of California, have not been a deterrent for his participation in the activities of the Endowment Fund, nor have his personal interests interfered with his steady contributions of labor, time and money to make the Fund into a strong and viable organization.

 

Varnum Paul's Armenian heritage shines through the thin crust of his American surname.  To date, Mr. and Mrs. Varnum Paul, together with his brother Dr. and Mrs. Barre Paul, have made generous donations to the Western Diocese Endowment Fund, the Western Diocese.