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d. June 14, 2014. Known to most as "Pablo" passed away on Saturday, June 14, 2014 at the age of 93. Paul was a resident of Hermosa Beach for nearly all of his life and was proud to call it home. Paul is the son of Richard and Lina Matthies who emigrated from Germany in 1914. He is the sixth of seven children. His first family home was the second of only two houses built on 28th street. He attended Redondo Union High School and graduated in 1940. He then joined the army and served as Staff Sargeant in the Asiatic Pacific Theater. His love of language allowed him to quickly learn the local language and was able to act as an interpreter along with his assignment to the 307th Ordinance Ammunition Renovation Company. He met the love of his life, Aneta and they married in 1949. They went on to spend 65 wonderful years together. Paul was very active in the community serving on numerous boards and commissions. As owner of the Hermosa Swim Gym, he taught many a South Bay resident how to swim. Pablo is probably best known for his long career as a Los Angeles County Lifeguard. His athleticism and strength is legendary, especially in the dory surf boat. He was still competing and winning until his retirement in 1975. Pablo loved to sing. He sang in his church choir and later joined the South Bay Chapter of the Barbershop Harmony Society. He was later approached by the Easy Reader to be their "Surfing Santa". For the next 25 years he delighted young and old as Hermosa's version of Christmas. Paul is survived by his wife Aneta, sister Madeline, daughter Dinah Stovall and her husband Ken and their daughter Jessica, son Dan Matthies and his wife Nina and their two sons Marty and Mo with his wife Meghan. He also has four great grandchildren, Isabella, Logan, Aurora, and baby Brynn. Paul was chosen as a Distinguished Graduate for RUHS's Centennial Celebration, June 25, 2005.

As of: Nov 19, 2019