Paul Anthony Eilert, longtime resident of Morgan Hill, CA passed away peacefully surrounded by his children after a long and courageous battle with cancer. Paul was born in Chicago Illinois on August 26, 1932. At the age of two, Paul and his parents moved west to Evergreen Colorado. When Paul was fourteen years old, his family decided they had seen enough of the cold weather and decided to continue west settling in Carlsbad California to join other family members. Paul loved the beach and the California weather.
After graduating from high school, he was drafted into the Army and stationed in Korea. Two years later the truce was signed and he was honorably discharged as Sergeant.
Paul went on to San Diego State to pursue his degree in Geology. During his four-year term, he met the love of his life, “Joanie Nahhas” and eloped shortly after. Once obtaining his Bachelor’s degree,
Paul and Joan decided to move to Emeryville in pursuit of his Master’s Degree. After one year of his post graduate schooling, and while working two jobs with two infants at home, he decided to set his degree aside and take a full time position at a large General Engineering Contractor in Hayward, CA as a Project Estimator. This prompted the purchase of their first home in San Leandro CA. Two more children followed.
After ten years Paul and a good friend also working at the same company decided to venture out and start their own construction company. In 1969, Eilert & Smith, Inc. Construction was born in San Jose, CA. This is when the family decided to move to the sleepy town of Morgan Hill, just south of San Jose.
In 1975, Paul and Joan built their own lakefront “slice of heaven” in Holiday Lakes Estates.
In 1980 after eleven successful years in San Jose, Paul took his share of the business and moved down to Gilroy, CA, founding “Eilert Construction Inc.”
In 1982, Paul decided that it was time to retire.
He was a young 50 years old. Paul and Joanie spent the next 20 years traveling the world to countless country’s and cities over four continents, however North America and Baja were their favorites!
Paul had a passion for the environment and was truly a tread lightly kind of man. In an effort to give back, he sponsored numerous nonprofit organizations over many years.
Paul’s family was the most important thing to him, along with his love for mankind. He is survived by his three children ~ Laura Williams, Patrick Eilert and Leslie Montarbo as well as six grandchildren and five great grandchildren.
Paul is preceded in death by his loving wife Joanie Eilert and his oldest son Paul Michael Eilert.
He will be deeply missed by all ~ love you Pops!
Upon his request, there will be a private family memorial on July 8, 2017.
