John Jeffrey Paulin "Jeff" 76 of Laguna Niguel

Jeff passed away peacefully surrounded by loved ones at Mission Hospital in Mission Viejo on May 11, 2023. He was diagnosed with Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis (ALS) also known as Lou Gehrig's Disease on April 3, 2023.

Jeff was born on September 10, 1946 to Mary Catherine (Pat) and Raymond Ward (Ray) Paulin in Cleveland Ohio. Jeff's dad worked for IBM which Jeff believed stood for "I've been moved" because he went to 9 different schools in 12 years with his dad's multiple transfers out of state. Jeff always felt he had to be class clown in each school so he would fit in easier. He became an expert at opening line ice breakers and with one liners. His parents' last move was to San Diego in 1963, his senior year of high school. They had just moved away from Pittsburgh where he attended Upper St Clair High School for 3 years, which was always the high school he felt most connected. As a senior in high school in San Diego, not feeling he fit in with the California teens, he met Walt Drew who was slightly older and owned a 61 Chevy Wagon. Walt told Jeff that he belonged to the Kingsman Car Club, which was a drag racing club. Jeff immediately got involved in the club, bought his first car, a 64 El Camino and started drag racing. It wasn't his first choice for a car, he wanted a 57 Chevy, which he later did get. But racing was his passion for the rest of his life. He was one of the first drag racers to race at Carlsbad Raceway in San Diego. He also raced Ramona Raceway, Colton Raceway, Orange County Raceway, Fontana Raceway, Pomona Raceway, Las Vegas Raceway, Wild Horse Pass Motor Sports Park, and Famoso Raceway over a 6 decade span. When Jeff was 52 his grandmother gave him her 1972 Malibu that he converted to a 9.5 second car. The car was known as GGS Gold (named after his grandmother and his kids called her GG, for great grandmother). He won two Wallys with GGsGold. Jeff also had two other muscle cars, a 66 Chevelle SS396 and a 70 El Camino LS454. All his cars have been published in numerous magazines and GGs Gold was featured on Americas Top 10 Muscle Cars of All Time, a special tv program which also features him and his Grandma, Mildred Paulin.

Jeff had a tournament softball team in the 80s and 90s. He also played tennis in the 80s and played golf up until a year ago. Jeff was passionate and competitive in all the things he did. He also enjoyed going to the gym several times a week.

Jeff worked in Aerospace in San Diego in the early 1970s, then moved to Orange County to work for Avco Financial Services as a computer programmer. He worked there from 1975 to 1999, when he opened his own business Terrific Tint. Being a car guy, he wanted to do something that made people happy. He made a lot of friends in the 13 years he owned the business, retiring in 2012. Terrific Tint is still a very successful company today, owned and operated by his stepson, Patrick Carnie and his daughter in law Tanzi Gowadia.

Jeff met the love of his life, Tracie, in Nashville Tennessee, at a company business meeting. Tracie was living in Idaho and Jeff was living in California. After a short long distance relationship, quickly discovering they had like minded hearts, they were married October 18, 1992. Tracie helped Jeff raise his two youngest children, from age 2 and 3 years old, to adulthood. Together they enjoyed coaching the kid's softball teams, enrolling them in golf lessons, surfing lessons, TaeKwonDo lessons and being involved in their schooling endeavors. Jeff and Tracie also enjoyed many special occasions with their older adult children, where there was always a lot of laughter, love and quality time. Jeff was a father for 55 years. Tracie was an integral partner in Jeff's drag racing adventures, they were together each meet, with her as Crew Chief at the track and as his starting line photographer. Together Jeff and Tracie also enjoyed traveling to Oregon, Hawaii and Idaho often. Jeff joined the Northern Ohio Chevelle Club several years ago and he and Tracie flew back annually for many years to attend and meet up with their long distance Chevelle owner friends. They celebrated their 30th wedding anniversary on a Mediterranean Cruise just this past year, visiting 6 different countries. Jeff loved to take vacations with his wife and family.

Jeff is survived by his wife, Tracie Paulin, daughter Michelle Paulin Warth, son in law, David Warth, daughter Sarah Paulin Bliley, son in law Nick Bliley, son, Shaun Paulin, step son Patrick Carnie, daughter in law Tanzi Gowadia, his four siblings; Mike Paulin, Cathy Paulin Staver, Mary Paulin Schuff, and Tom Paulin, and two nieces; Jennifer Schuff Gubbe and Erin Paulin and a nephew Chris Schuff. He is also survived by Maxx, his 14 year old faithful Jack Russell Terrier, who held the title of "Pit Security" while he was racing. Jeff was proceeded in death by both of his beloved parents.

Jeff loved to talk to people and put a smile on their faces. He was known for his lengthy stories, staying true to his "Class Clown" personality and expert "Ice Breaker". He was a wonderful husband, father, son, grandson, brother, uncle, cousin and friend. He would help anyone who needed it. He loved spending time with his family and friends. He was a great and unforgettable man.
Services will be held Friday, June 16, 2023, 11 a.m. at McCormack & Son, 25002 Moulton Pkway Laguna Hills CA 92637. The service will also be available by Webcam. Information will be on McCormicks website. There will also be a reception/ Celebration of Life at our home immediately after the service. Information will be provided at the service. In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations be made to: The ALS Association of Orange County, 14471 Chambers Road #111, Tustin California 92780 www.Alsaoc.org (714) 285-1088

To view the webcasting for service, click HERE.