FRANCIS PAUL GIORDANO

Francis “Paul” Giordano, 79, of Riverside, California, passed away on July 30, 2025, after a courageous battle with stage 4 metastatic cancer. He was surrounded by the love of his family.

Paul is survived by his devoted wife of 58 years, Margie; his beloved son, Phillip J. Giordano; five cherished grandchildren — Brandon M. Knox, Kylie Brianna Knox, Nicole Diane Giordano-Lendenne, Jeffrey M. Giordano, and Jacob Paul Giordano; and four adored great-grandchildren — Elliot Francis, Marlee Jade, Dean Richard, and Maxwell Gary. He is also survived by his loving siblings Josephine Giordano Irish, Karen Giordano Mulville, and Kimberly Giordano Miller, along with their spouses.

We take comfort in knowing Paul is now reunited with his beloved daughter, Kristy Lee, who passed in 2018 at the age of 48, and with his parents.

Born in Brooklyn, New York, Paul grew up helping care for his younger sister Joanne and spending treasured time with his grandmother Josephine. After her passing in 1949 and his father’s return from military service, the family moved to California in 1953. Paul often spoke fondly of the annual road trips back to New York to visit relatives, sharing colorful stories of the family’s cross-country adventures.

A proud graduate of La Puente High School, Paul excelled in track and field, earning a varsity letter. At just 10 years old, he began playing the accordion and later joined a small band that performed on weekends. His passions were many — cars, dancing, the beach, surfing, ocean fishing, and sailing.

In 1966, Paul was drafted into the U.S. Army. He completed basic training at Fort Bliss, Texas, and advanced training before being deployed to Korea near the DMZ with A Battery, 7th Missile Battalion, 5th Artillery, where he worked on Hawk missiles. He also served a temporary duty assignment in Vietnam for six weeks. Paul returned to California in 1967 to marry Margie, only to be sent back to Texas two weeks later to serve on burial detail for fallen Vietnam soldiers across the country. He was honorably discharged in 1968.

Over the years, Paul held a variety of jobs — machinist, beautician, printing press operator, house painter, plumber, construction worker, landscaper, and custodian at Riverside City College. He was a skilled, resourceful man who was always willing to share what he knew with his children and others.

Paul will be remembered for his generosity, his adventurous spirit, his love of family, and the way he embraced life’s simple joys.

Funeral Services will be held on Friday, August 22, 2025, at Akes Family Funeral Home in Riverside. Family viewing will be from 9:30–10:00 a.m., guest viewing from 10:00–11:00 a.m., with a Catholic service from 11:00 a.m.–12:00 noon. Interment will follow at 1:15 p.m. at Riverside National Cemetery.

Arrangements entrusted to the care of Akes Family Funeral Home, Riverside, California.

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