Milan, Margaret, Anita, and Paul Trafficante
  
   

 
   
Paul's Journey
  
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  Paul was born in 1921, in New York City in the Lower East Side of Manhattan. The neighborhood was mostly populated by Sicilian immigrants, like his mother and father, who had migrated from two small villages about 30 miles east of Palermo. One of four children, he was raised in the Sicilian culture of his heritage. He spoke of one of his most startling insights as a teenager, when he became aware of the influence of the local Mafia in his community. He saw how the Sicilian male culture, which expected the male head of the family to be strong-willed, firm and his authority unquestioned, allowed the Mafia to fit into the Sicilian community "like a hand in a glove." But Paul's path was to lead him to break free of this culture. He spoke of being compelled, as if by an inner command, to make a crucial decision. So, at 20 years old, he decided to move hundreds of miles away from his family and the Sicilian milieu. It was a drastic decision for his family, and a turning point in Paul's life. He would always be there for his family in the years to come, but he never returned to live in New York City.
  
    After World War II, he moved to San Francisco, where he lived for the rest of his life. He was joined by his brother, Chuck. They both married and raised their families there. In 1954, he married Margaret, and together they raised two children, Anita and Milan. Margaret's first impression of Paul was his deep, full laugh. Many others remember Paul for his wonderful laugh, and the sparkle in his eyes. Paul and Margaret loved playing tennis together when they first met, and shared many beautiful memories. Although they divorced in 1977, they always remained in touch.

His occupation was in home improvement services, selling mostly carpets and draperies to residences, in family businesses with his brother Chuck, over the years. But his passion was in political action. He jumped into the arena of radical politics going on in San Francisco soon after he arrived, and stayed involved for many years to come. Paul left a great legacy of action making a difference in the world in this way. His work in the Vietnam War Peace Movement, and in a landmark U.S. Supreme Court case on housing discrimination are part of that memorable legacy.

Above all, Paul loved family and believed in living his life in his own way. As a father to Anita and Milan, his devotion, unconditional love and generosity was unwavering. He was the perfect Grandpa Paul. On his many Thursday nights spent with granddaughter Tiffany, he would laugh like Santa Claus, tell stories, and really play. He loved to play. His granddaughter Mykelle was a joy in his life, driving to Sacramento every weekend to see her, being with her made him feel like a kid again. With his grandson Michael he had the bubbly, alive boy energy that he so loved so much, and reminded him of his son Milan, as a young boy.

Paul was a leader, a giver, a truly compassionate, loving man. He was a great man, and will be missed. But his presence lives on in the love of his family, and the good works of his life.