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  Pope John XXIII Award Winner:Paul Cowell Volunteering His Time and Talents As local, state and federal budgets keep dwindling, police and fire services are facing problems meeting the needs of the people in their service areas with the funds allocated to provide such services. For the town of Danville, California Paul Cowell is a much needed and very much appreciated blessing. In 2008 alone, Paul volunteered more than 800 hours of his time with the Police Department. According to Chris Wenzel, Chief of Police for the Town of Danville Paul donates a minimum of 40 hours to the Town of Danville per month fulfilling a variety of duties and function at the Police Department. "His ability to solely manage the police lobby during business hours, coordinate and employ special crime prevention programs, assist with police department and community based special events, and fulfill police requests for 24-hour chaplain program services has proven invaluable to the high efficiency and professionalism of the Danville Police Department," Wenzel said. In addition to his volunteer work for the Danville Police Department, Paul is also Chaplain for the Law Enforcement Chaplain program with the Contra Costa County Sheriff's Office. "Paul will respond out in the middle of the night to comfort and help citizens and officers alike," said Sergeant Troy Francis of the Danville Police Department. Born on October 9, 1940 in New York to Ida Favicchia and Charles B. Cowell, Paul attended public school in New York at PS 54, Aviation Trade High School, and City University of New York. At 19 years old he enlisted in the Marines and also served with the Coast Guard Reserve for a total of 12 years of military service. On June 16, 1962 Paul married his sweetheart Arline Mayer and were blessed with two children: Celeste and Lawrence. They have four grandchildren. On November 13, 1993, Arline passed away, leaving Paul a widower. Love would find Paul again, as he and Susan Carey were married at St. Isidore Church in Danville, Ca on April 22, 1995. Paul is now also a stepfather to Ann Camacho and Thomas Carey. They have 1 grandson. Now retired, in his professional career Paul worked in the world of Insurance. In 2000 he retired from Acacia Life Insurance. Since retiring, Paul doesn't just share his time and talents with the Danville Police Department; he is also very active with his parish and school at St. Isidore in Danville. At St. Isidore School, Paul is very much respected and well loved. He is a member of the School Board and Finance Committee and is a lead in the grief ministry at the parish. "When parishioners in our parish lose loved ones, Paul is available, often with little notice, to counsel the families, help plan funeral liturgies, and then direct the funerals and receptions that follow," St. Isidore's Director of Religious Education Lyn Ford said. Paul also actively serves in the parish's Loaves and Fishes soup kitchen program and faithfully serves the parish's RCIA program. "There is nothing false about Paul Cowell," said Jean M. Schroeder, Principal at St. Isidore School. "He loves God, his wife, his family, and his community and gives his all to everything he does." "He shows a constant cordial and respectful integrity for all those he touches," said Marthe Stokowski, director of the Loaves & Fishes Program. "He has a strong faith in Jesus and his work always demonstrates his own belief that he is to do the work of Jesus in the world. He helps all those he encounters in life and in his ministries as if they are the face of Christ." Paul has been bestowed many honors for his years of service including: In 1979 the Senate, California Legislature acknowledged Paul as San Pablo Exchange Club "Man of the Year". Town of Danville Volunteer of the Year 2004 Contra Costa County Sheriff's Department Volunteer of the Year 2008 Most Volunteer Hours of the Year 2008 (821 hours) Danville Police Department Volunteer of the Year for 2005, 2006 and 2007 Now, Paul can add recipient of the Italian Catholic Federation's Pope John XXIII Award to his list of accolades. Congratulations Paul! Italian Catholic Federation, 8393 Capwell Drive, Suite 110, Oakland CA 94621 tel: 888/ICF-1924; 510/633-9058; fax: 510/633-9758; Email: info@icf.org Website designed by HYPERSPHERE |