Dorrington, CA…Paul Joseph Sorensen, 55 of Calaveras County was raised in Livermore, CA by his loving mother Margaret Sorensen from Iowa and late father Donald Sorensen 2nd generation from Livermore, CA. Paul attended Saint Michael’s Grade School and Livermore High School. He served as an altar boy at Saint Michael’s Church. Paul was an excellent student in all areas of academics and played basketball for both schools.

Paul enjoyed the mountains and riding his bicycle from the day he learned. He was an active participant and fan of snow and water sports, mountain biking, formula one, dirt biking, super moto, fishing, and just being in the present, living life to the fullest. More than anything, Paul loved and cherished his dear wife Ann Marie Mitchell whom he married on July 2, 1983 at Saint Michael’s Church.

Paul was a talented and highly skilled technician. Actually he could fix just about everything electronic or mechanical.  He worked in the copier and office equipment industry from 1981 to 1995 in the Bay Area, and Reno/Tahoe area. Paul assisted his wife Ann Marie since 1995 operating the home based bookkeeping service Soaring Eagle. They started out in Reno, Nevada 1983-1988, and lived in Incline Village 1988-2000. They would visit the family cabin in Arnold often to enjoy the area. They preferred the peace, serenity and small town feel and finally made the move to Dorrington in October 2000. Paul worked back-to-back with Ann Marie in their home. Paul did most of the housework along with 90% of the cooking as he was a real life self-taught culinary chef of endless cuisines. He certainly knew how to take good care of his bride. They spent the early part of most days outside playing. Winter is their favorite time of year! They go from the ski lift to the hill and back with no breaks, getting as many runs in as they possibly can. Paul loved powder and tree skiing too. Paul averaging over 100 days of Alpine skiing a season enabled him to become an expert skier. If for some reason he is not downhill skiing, he is snowshoeing or cross-country skiing. 

Paul claimed playing outdoors every day can make you physically, spiritually, emotionally and mentally healthy. He’s said, “The magic is staying active and sharing new experiences. It helped us grow closer and build an everlasting relationship. It was fun to share this wonderful life with my best friend – who also happened to be my wife!”

Paul had sincere gratitude and appreciation for all his caregivers. Especially to his brother Donald Sorensen who donated stem cells for Paul’s healing in May 2014 and again in January 2015, what a Man! Paul and Ann Marie both want to express their thanks to the staff at U.C. Davis and Sutter Hospital’s both located in Sacramento, CA. Also to clients, friends, family and all the countless people who prayed for him, encouraged him and loved him through his life time. Paul truly walked the walk and didn’t even need to talk the talk, action was enough. Paul was an extraordinary, one of a kind, super special, wonderful beyond belief person, friend, husband, son, brother, uncle, godfather, and many, many other things not to mention what God meant a man to be.

Paul died July 14, 2015 from Sepsis Infection after surviving Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia the last 18 ½ months of his life. In addition to his wife Ann Marie Mitchell-Sorensen, Paul leaves his mother Margaret Sorensen of Livermore, CA, brother and sister-in-law’s Donald & Sara Sorensen of Tacoma, WA and Scott & Kathy Sorensen of Livermore, CA. Also leaving nephew’s John Sorensen, Christopher Sorensen, Ryan Sorensen, Joel Clay, Chad Clay, Nikolas Mitchell, nieces Kelsey Sorensen, Rachel Sorensen, and Kaia Mitchell. Great niece Sierra Sorensen and great nephew Donald Sorensen. In-laws Ken & Mary Mitchell, brother-in-law’s David Clay, Michael Mitchell, sister-in-law Elizabeth Mitchell. He was preceded in death by his loving father Donald Sorensen and brother-in-law John Mitchell.

Paul will be deeply missed by all who knew and loved him. In lieu of flowers, donations may be considered to Soaring Eagle, PO Box 4369; Camp Connell, CA 95223 where the funds will be applied to Paul’s medical fund and distributed to various charities in Paul’s memory.

Friends and family are invited to attend the Funeral Mass held on Friday, August 7, 2015, 1:00 PM, at Saint Michael’s Catholic Church, 458 Maple St., Livermore, CA 94550, reception to follow after interment at Saint Michael’s Cemetery, 3885 East Ave., Livermore, CA 94550. There is a separate Celebration of Life held on Saturday, August 22, 2015, at 1:00 PM, at Chapel in the Pines, 2286 Cedar Ln, Arnold, CA 95223.