Obituary of Paul Franklin Giles, Jr

It is with deep sorrow and much love that we mourn the passing of our beloved father, grandfather, great-grandfather and devoted husband, Paul Franklin Giles, Jr. He died at his home in Soquel on April 16, 2025 at the age of 81. He was born in Salinas and moved to San Jose as a teenager. He fell in love with his wife, Diane, when they met at Willow Glen High School. They would have been married 60 years this July. He joined the San Jose Fire Department in 1965 and served for 30 years. Paul grew up loving the outdoors. As a boy, he accompanied his family on yearly trips to the Sierras, deer hunting and fishing. As an adult, he continued to be an avid hunter and fisherman. His adventures included trips to Mexico, Wyoming, Idaho, Hawaii, Colorado and Arizona. On his many trips to Alaska, he fished for salmon and halibut and hunted caribou and moose in the Arctic. He also loved the excitement of hunting wild boar with his dogs throughout California. Later in life, his passion was pheasant hunting with his dogs, Curly, Cleo and Bella and duck hunting with his dear friend, Doug Haut. When he retired, he became a licensed guide and started his own busines, Silver Quest Adventures. He used all of his experience and skills to take others on hunting and fishing excursions. He was a natural teacher of all things outdoors. Paul's family was very important and special to him. He was deeply devoted to his wife Diane, daughters Nikki Giles and Sandy Boewer, granddaughters Natalie Miller & husband Garrett and Joan Boewer, great-grandchildren Amelia, Drake and Audrey Miller. We all have fond memories of our annual trips to Lake Tahoe. He is also survived by his sister Cathy Gullifer & husband Bruce, sister Lillian Selzer and brother-in-law Ron DeBenedictis. Paul will be remembered for his love of life and the countless stories and lessons he shared over the years. He will be missed by all who knew him. Friends and family are invited to attend his memorial on Saturday, June 28, 2025 at 1:00 pm at the Congregational Church of Soquel, 4951 Soquel Drive in Soquel.