Obituary: Paul A. Malignaggi, 93

Paul A. Malignaggi died at the Willows Care Center in his beloved Willows on Friday, Dec. 22, 2023. He was born in San Mateo on March 5, 1930.

In San Mateo, he grew up working with his father, selling produce door to door in the 1930s. Later, as a teenager, he took on many jobs, including working for a florist and an awning company.

He attended San Mateo Community College and then went on to serve in the Army, in peacetime, following with six years in the National Guard/Reserves.

In the mid-1940s, he met the love of his life, Barbara Della Santina, in Redwood City. They were married in 1951.

His career started as a professional draftsman, later becoming a registered architect. His architectural business was very active and thrived for over four decades in Northern California, where he is still well known for his many buildings and designs.

He was also a California licensed realtor, and then, in the late 1960s, he worked as an appraiser for the Glenn County Assessor’s Office. He went on to have his own appraisal business, which is still operational and successful to this day.

He worked diligently and was beyond proud, as his loved ones were of him, when he received his private pilot’s license on Sept. 27, 1969, later to purchase his beloved Tri-Pacer.

Mr. Malignaggi was a member of the Elks for 68 years, initiated on May 31, 1956. He was a Past Exalted Ruler in 1981 and 1982.

Camping and fishing were always favorites, loving the beach as well as Lassen Park and Hat Creek. Family fun was always number one.

He loved to restore old vehicles with the help of his son, Paul. There are too many to list but his favorites included his 1930 Model A Coop and his 1931 Ford pickup, which many locals saw him drive around town every day.

In the past 20-plus years, his love of architecture went in a new direction. He started taking photos of many historical buildings and residences in Glenn, Butte, and Colusa Counties.

Using architecture and artistry, he sketched freehand these photos to paper in black and white. Later, he added watercolor to them and had the excellent idea to have these drawings printed as postcards.

He was overjoyed with their popularity.

His surviving, loving family misses him more than words will ever be able to express.

Survivors include Barbara, his wife of 74 years; children Paul Malignaggi (Kelly) and Vicki Malignaggi (Loo); granddaughter Allison (Joshua); great-grandchildren Kayden, Delilah and Conner; two nieces and a nephew and their children and grandchildren.

His loved ones declare, “We are all eternally proud of the man who was our trailblazer, moving his family to Willows in 1964, loving this town. He loved it to the end, never leaving what he called home until his last breath.

“We thank him forever for his never-ending sense of humor, honesty, love, hugs, support and his life that was devoted to his family. We miss you so much, forever.”

His family hopes that you are able to join them celebrating the life of Paul A. Malignaggi from 1 to 4 p.m. on Saturday, March 9, at an open house at the Malignaggi residence, 655 Pacific Avenue, Willows 95988. For information or RSVP, please contact Vicki at 530-520-7284.

Light refreshments will be served and if you would like to bring a dish, a dessert would be wonderful, as that was his favorite.

In lieu of flowers, the Malignaggi family would be honored to have donations sent to the Willows Fire Department, which was there in the family’s time of need.