Posted on 01/04/2019
Paul Stuart Tompkins (November 11, 1939 – December 21, 2018)
Paul S. Tompkins passed away unexpectedly on December 21st, with his wife and children by his side after a brief battle with pancreatic cancer. Beloved husband of Gail for 50 years, father of Beth Mehta (Zubin), Steve Tompkins (Regina), Susan Smith (Austin), an adored grandad of Andrew Mehta, Michelle Mehta, Austin Paul Smith, Sydney Mehta, Brooke Mehta, Nathan Smith, Allerton Tompkins, Charlotte Smith, and Ezekiel Tompkins. His greatest joy was the family he shared with Gail. He was a wonderful husband, father, grandad, uncle, cousin, and friend, and will be deeply missed by all who knew him.
Born on November 11, 1939 in Westfield, MA, he was the son of Marjorie and Allerton Tompkins. He attended Berkshire Academy in MA, graduating in 1957. He then received an appointment to the United States Naval Academy and was a member of the class of 1962. He attended Naval Post Graduate School in Monterey, CA before serving on several ships in the Mekong Delta during the Vietnam War where he received a Bronze Star with V for acts of valor in combat and meritorious service. After Vietnam, he served in the Pentagon, attended Navy Destroyer School in RI, and finished his distinguished 20 years of Navy service in various positions in San Diego before retiring in 1982.
Following retirement from military service, Paul was a self-employed Realtor, broker, and property manager in San Diego County with his company Tompkins Enterprises up until his death.
Paul was active in the Solana Beach community. In 1986, he helped in the effort to incorporate the city of Solana Beach. He was elected to the Solana Beach City Council in 1990 and served as mayor in 1994 and 1998. During his tenure, Paul was instrumental in lowering the train tracks and opening the Solana Beach Transit Center. He was a great believer in term limits for any political office, thus he retired from politics after 8 years to pursue other interests.
Paul served as a member and past president of the Solana Beach Chamber of Commerce, a committee member of Fiesta del Sol for 20 years, a board member of Torrey Pines HS Dollars for Scholars, and a board member of the Solana Beach Soccer Club. After 30 years of refereeing youth soccer, Paul reluctantly hung up his cleats this last October. Since 2000, Paul always looked forward to his annual duties with security during the San Diego County Fair.
An avid traveler, Paul enjoyed seeing the world with Gail. Fond memories include recent cruises along the rivers of Europe, annual trips to Puerto Vallarta and Cabo San Lucas, family gatherings at his cabin in Big Bear, travelling back to his roots at his family home in MA, and recently celebrating his milestone 50th wedding anniversary with his entire family on an Alaskan cruise this past summer.
A wake will be held on Wednesday, January 2nd, from 5-7pm at the Oceanside Mortuary, 602 S. Coast Highway, Oceanside, CA. A funeral mass will follow on Thursday, January 3rd,, at 1:30pm at the Old Mission San Luis Rey, 4050 Mission Ave, Oceanside, CA. In lieu of flowers, the family suggests donations in Paul's name to the Pancreatic Cancer Action Network (PanCAN), or a charity of your choice.
Published in The San Diego Union Tribune from Jan. 2 to Jan. 3, 2019