Paul Joseph Zapien

Paul Zapien, born June 23, 1966, in Denver, Colorado, passed away on October 28, 2026, at home with his loving wife, kids, Father Paul, and brother Steve beside him. He was 60.

As a boy, Paul was outside with his brothers every chance he got. He loved learning about politics and listening to music with his dad, which made him an avid music lover, especially of old country music, like Merle Haggard, and traditional Mexican music that lifted his soul. He learned his faith and how to cook from his mom - especially how to roll a burrito. He loved camping, fishing and good food, especially his sister-in- law's green chili. He was funny and had a great sense of humor. He was always joking around. His dad used to say, "despite it all, Paul could always make me laugh". He had a strong presence, and everyone noticed him when he walked into a room.

Life handed Paul hard chapters, and he met them head-on, one day at a time, until one day at a time became nearly ten years of recovery carried by his friends and his faith in God - a faith that was already strong, but grew stronger after he met his wife. When cancer came, he showed up the way he always did. He always said "It is what it is. Soy Kalimán, I can get through anything", and then he would flex his muscles.

He is survived by his loving wife, Christina; their children, Janae, Caela, Raeya and Jakeb; their grandson Emmett; his mother, Mary; his brother, Steve; his sister-in-law, Amanda; his nieces Elizabeth and Evianna, and his nephew, Alejandro. He was preceded in death by his sister, Anatasia and his father, John.