We are Saddened with the Passing of Paul, and our sympathy to all who know him. 
It is rare to come across a person as amazing as Paul, our dear friend.  We find ourselves fortunate to have known him sense 2017. He will always be fresh and lively in our memories, but will be missed each and every day.  His family will be always on our prayers. 
I remember when he joined our group of aged persons (LOL), with his style of humor.  We would talk about Astronomy, Weather patterns, Plants, Music and more.  Paul told us of the chicken constellation, we did not believe him until he proved it and made us laugh.  We miss his wit and sometimes left field comments. 
Though he is not with us any longer and no one can fill the void he leaves. We will keep him in our hearts forever.  To keep him alive in our hearts and the laugher he brought us. A celebration of his life and good times, for he was a blessing to us. 
With sympathies, Prayers 
Paul 


I only knew Paul briefly, as I was his successor in the role of Meteorology department chair at De Anza College. But the fact of the matter is that because of him (and the work he did to grow the Meteorology department at De Anza), my dream job came into existence, and I hope to continue honoring his legacy here at De Anza. 

That being said, the few times I did get the chance to meet Paul were all very pleasant. He had a gift of teaching, and just in the few conversations I had with him, I learned so much! I loved his sense of humor (when I first met him, I told him that I had big shoes to fill, and he said "no, just size 8.5"). I know from his students (many of which took our Met lab with me in the future) that he was a beloved instructor and very popular with students. 

I promise to do whatever I can to honor the work he did at De Anza, and to continue helping his department thrive.

Paul, thank you so much. I wish we had more time to have gotten to know each other better, but I look forward to the many conversations we'll get to have on the other side!

Alicia Mullens
Meteorology Department
De Anza College  

I had the good fortune to know Paul as a colleague at De Anza College. I was saddened by the news of his passing, and I’m sure there are many others at De Anza who share my desire to extend our heartfelt condolences to his family and to everyone who knew him.
Although Paul was a little more than twenty years older than me, he and I were of roughly the same “generation” of faculty at De Anza. I arrived in 1998 to teach Geology, and I believe Paul arrived around 2000 or 2001 to teach Astronomy and Meteorology. When I think of him, I am immediately reminded of what a warm, kind, and good-hearted person he was. I honestly cannot recall Paul ever saying an unkind word about anyone. I remember him as having a very genuine, enthusiastic, positive spirit, always wanting the best for everyone whose path of life intersected with his. I know he will be missed by many of us at De Anza who knew him, and I’m sure there must be many, many former De Anza students with warm memories of him.
I didn't add astronomy to my own teaching duties until about 2010, and part of why this was possible was because Paul was such a successful and well-liked teacher, and had contributed a lot to the popularity of the astronomy department. It’s quite reasonable to say that I was a beneficiary of the legacy to which he contributed, and I'll always be grateful to him.

I know I’m far from the only person at De Anza College who will miss Paul and remember him fondly. When such genuine and good-hearted people enrich our lives, we can take some consolation from the positive example their spirits set for us, and from the good memories we have of them. I extend all my condolences and best wishes to Paul’s family and friends, and my gratitude for having known him.
Marek Cichanski

I loved Paul…he always made my mood better when I was lucky enough to run into him on campus. I’ve missed him since he retired. Wonderful man and so funny… 

OBITUARY

Paul J. Olejniczak

June 11, 1945 – May 12, 2023

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