Paul Marashian August 4, 1947 - May 19, 2026

Paul Marashian passed away at the age of 78 in the early morning of May 19, 2026.

He was born on August 4, 1947 in Fresno, California to Edward and Florence Marashian. He grew up on Princeton Avenue with his parents and older brother Edward Jr. . The family attended Pilgrim Armenian Congregational Church. He went to school at Alice Birney Elementary, Fort Miller Junior High, and graduated from McLane High School in 1965. After high school, Paul spent 6 years in the Air National Guard.

On February 4, 1970, Paul met Carol Hagopian after being set up on a blind date by his uncle Jack. Both Paul and Carol claimed it was love at first sight. He ended up proposing to her on Rice Road on their 3rd date! They were married on September 5th, 1970. Through many adventures, ups, downs, kids, surgeries on every bone in his body, and several summer trips to Santa Cruz, they stayed married for nearly 56 years.

From an early age, Paul had many different talents and passions. As a boy, he began riding horses, spending a great deal of his time at Armstrong Stables. He owned three different horses, Dusty, Rascal, and Roulette. He loved his horses and even competed in English horse jumping. He also once rode his horse, Roulette, all the way from the stables to the family home on Indianapolis Avenue to surprise his kids.

In addition to riding horses, Paul was a very talented artist. In the few classes he took at Fresno City College, his fine arts class is the one that made the greatest difference in his life. He was able to develop his talents as a student, which he continued to hone throughout his entire life. He was best known for his drawings, often creating faces that only he could imagine. He was rarely without a pen or pencil in hand, using whatever surface was readily available, creating one of his masterful drawings. In addition to drawing, he was also a talented sculptor working with wood and clay. He even took up welding, and had the opportunity to learn from local artists Clement Renzy and Chris Sorenson.

Finally, Paul identified as an Italian cyclist. He became a young phenom in the Fresno area, finishing 3rd in a California state road cycling competition at age 14. He founded the Fresno Cycling Club, and won Fresno’s first ever road race in 1962. After sustaining a collarbone breaking fall, Paul didn’t officially get back on his road bike until he was well into parenthood in the mid 80s. As a 30-something cyclist in the Fresno area, Paul’s alter ego, Guido del Tongo, was created by his cycling friends. Known simply as Guido around town, he spent many days of the week at Tri-Sport, riding the loop, or taking longer rides up to the mountains. He was such a popular figure that Tri-Sport hung a poster-sized photo of him in their store.

On the family side of things, Paul worked with his dad and brother running Ed’s Radiator Service on H Street. During this time, he and Carol had three children, Lisa, Kristy, and Paulie (Paul Jr.). He was a loving and devoted dad. He loved spending time watching the girls’ ballet recitals, all of the kids’ sporting events, and hanging out with them at home. When they were young, he and Carol loved to entertain at their home. In their later years, they were content just sitting together in front of the TV or going on “dates” to the drive through carwash. They were also regulars at the Chicken Pie Shop. Hundreds of Guido del Tongo original napkin drawings are floating around in the homes and offices of former servers from the Chicken Pie Shop and other restaurants they frequented.

As their children grew, Paul and Carol were blessed with six grandchildren. Paul loved when the grandkids would come to town to stay at his house. His sense of humor was and still is legendary amongst the grandkids. Shish kebab grilling, summer swims, and his funny stories are memories of Paul they will hold dear in their hearts. Paul’s greatest joy was his family. He loved his wife dearly and shared that same deep love with his three children and six beautiful grandchildren.

Paul was best described by Badveli Bernard Guekguezian as being a Renaissance man. He was a jack of many trades and a lifelong learner up until his final days.

Paul is survived by his devoted wife, Carol, whose care, companionship, and love remained by his side throughout their life together; his daughter, Lisa Marashian, and her sons, Owen and Harry; his daughter, Kristy Cruz, her husband, Louie, and their children, Ella and Nico; his son, Paul Marashian Jr., his wife, Chelsey, and their children, Lucy and Theo; and his brother, Edward Marashian Jr. and his children, Alex, Eddie, and Julianne.

Paul was preceded in death by his parents, Edward and Florence Marashian.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Pilgrim Armenian Congregational Church or the RIDE Foundation.

The family would like to express their heartfelt gratitude to A Plus Home Health for their compassionate care and support, with special thanks to Irma, Pavneet, and Tyler for their kindness and dedication. They also extend deep appreciation to Paul’s brother, Edward, for his love, support, and frequent visits to spend time with and check on his brother. The family further wishes to thank Paul’s dear friends, John Scianna and Ben Medrano, for their continued support, encouragement, and enduring friendship throughout the years.

 Friends and family are warmly invited to a graveside service in honor of Paul’s memory at 10:00 a.m. on Saturday, May 30, at Masis Ararat Armenian Cemetery, 250 North Hughes Avenue, Fresno, CA 93706. A lunch will follow at 11:30am at Pardini’s, 2257 W. Shaw Ave., Fresno, CA, 93711.