Paul Damien Berkery, a resident of San Juan Capistrano, passed away May 28, 2021 at Mission Hospital in Mission Viejo.

He was born on March 26, 1935 in Far Rockaway, Queens, New York to Thomas Francis Berkery and Beatrice Lenore(Johnson)Berkery. He was the youngest of seven children. His siblings were Emmet, Lenore, Tom, Eugene and two children who passed in childhood. All preceded him in death.

He married Patricia Gilsennan in 1959 and together they had four children; Bob and his wife Cora, Michael and his wife Gail, Steven and his wife Gail, Steven and his wife Rachelle, Kathy (Berkery) Leidholdt and her husband Jim as well as his stepchildren Mia Xavier and Mason Miranda and his wife Ann Miranda, who were blessed to have him as a "bonus dad." He was grandpa to Ethan, Abigail, Colton, Megan, Troy, Bradley, Katelyn, Isabella and Evan Xavier, Avery and Cole Miranda as well as one great granddaughter Kennedy Rose whom he sadly never met. He is also survived by many nieces and nephews.

Paul attended Cardinal Farley Military Academy, St. Theresa and Far Rockaway High School (1952-53) where he graduated. He attended classes at the University of Detroit and USC management classes.

He served his country in the U.S. Army from 1957 to 1959. In 1959, he joined the Automobile Association of America where he spent his career, his last position being District Manager of the Mission Viejo office from which he retired in 2001.

Upon moving to South Orange County in 1982, he met the love of his life Brenda (Freed) Miranda at a meeting of the Saddleback Chamber of Commerce
where both served on the Board of Directors. Paul and Brenda were married in August 1992.

He had a lifelong love of boating, both with his children when they were young and later he and Brenda had power boats in Dana Point Harbor where they enjoyed many cruising activities. They were very active at the Dana West Yacht club where, in 2001, he was Commodore. Through their boating, he and Brenda formed many lasting friendships and made lifelong memories.

He enjoyed travel and his favorite vacations included his and Brenda's trip to British Virgin Islands, Tahiti, San Juan Islands, Europe river cruise and Family Thanksgivings at a rustic log cabin in North Carolina for several years.

Being of service was of great importance to Paul, and he gave generously of his time to many organizations and committees including Glendale Chamber of Commerce, Friends of Burbank Airport, Laguna Niguel Chamber of Commerce, Saddleback College, Mission Hospital, Rotary Club International, Kiwanis Club, and Coffee Chat in San Juan Capistrano, as well as many local organizations and associations. He loved the friends and neighbors at San Juan Capistrano West, where he was President of the Block Three Association for many years.

Paul was a warm, generous and kind person who cared for people and his community, always with a smile for all. He was a true gentleman and will be greatly missed.

Services will be held, Friday, July 9th at 10:00AM at St. Timothy Church: 29102 Crown Valley, Laguna Niguel, Ca. Reception will follow at the church banquet area. In lieu of flowers, donations in his memory can be made to the Dana West Yacht Club Youth Sailing Association; 24601 Dana Drive, Dana Point, Ca. 92629.