Paul Elizondo Eulogy By Henry Gabriel Cisneros on 1/2/2019 Iam honored to be asked by Commissioner Elizondo’s family — Irene, David, Richard, and John — to join Judge Nelson Wolff on this sacred occasion. ‘The Judge has accurately presented a tableau of Paul Elizondo’s public contributions, prodigious accomplishments, and unmatched record: arecord of communities improved, of projects constructed, of programs funded, of lives touched. The Judge has framed Paul's public legacy as only the leader of our county can do. I would like to ask you to reflect with me on a different aspect of Paul’s life: the life forces, the converging experiences, the personal memories that made Paul’s legacy possible. We see how his life was full with the moments, the family bonds, the friendships, that inspired his love for our community and for its people. Paul was born to Pablo and Petra Elizondo — near the San Pedro Creek which he would later recreate. Pablo, who himself later became known as Paul, was imbued with the work-ethic forged on his family’s farm. near Gonzalez, Texas, where they had lived for five generations. Petra wasknown for her expert management of her family’s finances, frugal and admired for her expertise in financial matters, values and skills she taught her son, Paul. Paul was Pablo's and Petra’s only son. He was special within the family, evidenced by his grandmother's nickname for him, “Rorro” or the “Golden Child”. Pablo and Petra labored hard to send Paul first to San Fernando boy's school, operated then by this Cathedral, and later to Central Catholic High School. Throughout his life Paul adhered to the Catholic teachings of attention to the needs of the poor. Within the walls of this blessed San Fernando Cathedral — Paul was baptized, made his first confession, received his first communion, was confirmed, served as an alter boy and here he and Irene were married. Tomorrow this faithful son of this church is sent from this place he loved to his final resting place at San Fernando Cemetery. We are witness to the entire circle of his life. Within the hundred yards that encompasses this Cathedral and the Bexar County Courthouse where he officed for 32-years — here at the site of San Antonio’s founding center — are the institutions that formed his religious life, guided his public life, and shaped his personal life.At Central Catholic, Paul began in earnest his life long love of music. He learned to play various types of saxophones and earned a music scholarship to St. Mary’s University. Music eventually was to become a major force in his life. He played in orchestras; he formed his own popular orchestra; he played with top world musical artists who visited San Antonio~ Augustin Lara, Celia Cruz, Pedro Vargas to name a few — and made many friends and met people he would know the rest of this life. His musical career certainly had its benefits, including meeting a beautiful young woman at a dance at which he was playing at Mission County Park. That girl’s name was Irene. Paul and Irene were married for 54 years. Paul served in the United States Marines in Japan. Like the other profound experiences in his life, the Marines shaped his public values. He emerged with a deeper patriotism and life-long respect for the needs of veterans. His dedication to everything he did was the embodiment of the Marine creed: “Semper-Fi” — “Always Faithful’. To his commitments, to his country, to his family, to the end. Upon returning to civilian life, Paul taught and directed student bands in the Edgewood and San Antonio districts. He impressed many people, loved his work, and saw first hand the unfairness in our society which cried for laws to eliminate the discrepancies in school finance. He | | I