Paul Philip Centofanti

Paul Philip Centofanti of Mesa, Arizona (formerly of Show Low) died unexpectedly in Mesa on Saturday, February 13, 2016, following complications of a routine surgical procedure.  He was 52 years old.  Paul was born on a Sunday, October 27, 1963, in San Francisco, San Francisco County, California.  His parents were the late Domenico and Edith Marie (Delsignore) Centofanti.Paul was reared in Cupertino, California where he went to Kennedy Junior High School.  During his high school years, he went to Monta Vista High School and was a member of its 1981 Graduating Class.  After graduation, Paul attended DeAnza Community College, where he received an Associated Arts degree.  After college, he began working for electronics firms which included CISCO.  His position there took him to Sonoma, right in the heart of California's wine country.  He loved living there.  Later, because of different employment opportunities, he moved to Montana.  He loved living there, too.  For the past few years, Paul worked as a Solution Architect for NCR (National Cash Register), a career in which he thrived and excelled.  He was loved and respected by many within his working circles and was a valued team member.  Paul will always be remembered for his great big personality, incredible sense of humor and youthful spirit.  As a child, he was quite mischievous and always loved to be part of a good prank.  As a grown man, Paul appreciated the way in which his father was able to reel him in, whenever his pranks or jokes got too out of hand.  His father and mother were part of "the greatest generation" and taught him, by their example, how to treat others.  His sweet mother doted over him as a child and was so proud of the man he became.  They taught him to appreciate the simple things of life for within them, he would find joy.  While still a kid, his parents would watch the Lawrence Welk Show on TV and, when it was over, they would retire to a different room to play a good game of cards.  During his parents' card games, Paul would sneak back into the TV room to watch Hee-Haw because that was more his style! Whilst a young boy, Paul developed a genius for sports trivia.  When it came to Baseball, Basketball and Football, there wasn't anything he didn't know.  He knew players and their coaches, stadium names and stats.  As a kid, he played little league baseball and continued to play through his freshman year of high school.  Then he began to play basketball.  What he lacked in height, he made up for in speed down the court.  He was truly a skilled player of the game.  While in college, his roommate remembered him listening to old LPs of the A's games as well as the Raider's games.  Who else would listen to old games on records?  Also, Paul had the opportunity to be an announcer for high school basketball games.  Paul owned all kinds of sports memorabilia and even owned a side business where he was able to see some mighty valuable collections.     In 1994, Paul married Amy Vigil.  After 17 years of marriage and the birth of his 2 daughters, their marriage ended.  Paul "was crazy about his kids."  He loved them so very much and lived to take care of them.  In 2012, while living in Montana, Paul met a beautiful redhead girl by the name of Angel Lee Woods Livingston.  He adored her and, on June 29, 2013, Paul and Angel were married in Show Low, Arizona, where they made their home for about a year.  In the summer of 2014, Paul and Angel moved to their current home in Mesa, Arizona.  He loved taking Angel and the kids to Cardinals' football games and Diamondback baseball games.  He especially enjoyed playing golf on the area golf courses.  During the past year, the Centofantis enjoyed frequent trips to Top Golf in Gilbert, where his daughter, Alex, was known for flinging her golf club out onto the driving range during a golf swing.  Loving everything outdoors, Paul always appreciated a quiet day fishing.  Any fishing hole was his favorite!  Paul had a natural way about him that was calming to others.  He never was one to burden someone with his life's ups and downs but rather, internalized his emotions.  He was a good listener and countless friends will miss this good man.Paul is survived by his wife, Angel Lee Woods Centofanti of Mesa, Arizona; 2 daughters:  Jacqueline Suzanne "Jacquie" Centofanti of Bozeman, Montana, Alexandra Lainne "Alex" Centofanti of Mesa, Arizona; a step-son, Daniel Jackson Livingston of Mesa, Arizona and by 2 dear friends he loved as brothers:  Steve Langell of Atlanta, Georgia and Perry Whitfield of Chico, California.   He is also survived by several cousins and countless other friends throughout the United States.A special memorial service for Paul will begin at 5:00 P.M., Saturday, February 20, 2016, at the home of Ronnie and Susan Livingston ("Grandad" & "Grandy"), 10429 S. Greenfield Road in Gilbert, Arizona 85234, after which all will be treated to grilled hotdogs and a bonfire. Paul's family is thankful for all of the expressions of sympathy they have received during this difficult season and are especially grateful for all of the prayers offered up on their behalf.  His friends and family have established a "Go Fund Me" account to help with his daughters' college funds.  For further information, visit Paul's Facebook page or Angel's Facebook page.