Paul M. Safina, 86 of Traverse City passed peacefully Tuesday, June 18, 2024, surrounded by his loving family. Paul was born in Brooklyn on November 6, 1937, and married his beloved wife Carolyn in 1960. Together they raised their four children in Brooklyn and on Long Island. Paul proudly served on the USS Intrepid from 1955 to 1958, later became a stationary engineer and spent his career working for the NYC Board of Education. After retirement, Paul and Carolyn moved to Traverse City in 2000. Over the last 18 years, Paul volunteered at Northwest Education Services' Career Technical Center in the precision machine program where he mentored many adolescents, instilling a love for learning, a belief in hard work, and a resilience that combats self-doubt and uncertainty.

Paul enjoyed working in his own machine shop on various projects around the house, and building wooden models and miniature model engines. His passion, however, was boating. He took great pride in owning and operating his 34 foot cabin cruiser, on which he and Carolyn vacationed with the family throughout the summers. In doing so, he taught his children a respect of the sea, the fundamentals of navigating and operating a vessel, and the importance of working together towards a common goal, among many other life lessons.

Paul's sense of humor could always be counted upon to brighten the day, even in his final days. He is survived by his children, Michael, Carmela, Angela, and Christopher, their spouses, eight grandchildren, five great grandchildren, and several nieces and nephews who all loved him dearly.

In lieu of flowers, the family is requesting donations towards a scholarship that is offered in his name to graduating students from North Ed. Career Tech. Donations can be made payable to North Ed. Foundation and sent directly to: North Ed. Foundation, Paul Safina Character & Achievement Scholarship, 880 Parsons Rd., Traverse City, MI 49686 or to the GoFundMe page: https://gofund.me/8e4f7d40 .

Visitation for family and friends will be held on Monday, June 24, 2024 from 5 to 8 pm at the Reynolds Jonkhoff Funeral Home. All are invited to join the family in sharing memories at 7 pm.

The Funeral Mass will be held on Wednesday, June 26, 2024 at 11 am, with visitation beginning one hour prior at St. Joseph Catholic Church on Old Mission. Interment will follow at Grand Traverse Memorial Gardens where he will receive full military honors.