Family man, gentleman and sportsman Paul B. Helsby, longtime and much-beloved islander, passed away peacefully at his home on Vashon July 29th, 2015. He was 84 years old.

Paul was born on July 29th, 1931 in Seattle, Washington, and grew up on

Mercer Island, where he made many lifelong friends. He played baseball for and graduated from Garfield High School in 1949, served in the armed forces and, after his discharge, attended the University of Washington from which he graduated in 1957 with a business degree. He was a proud member of the Phi Gamma Delta fraternity.

Paul moved his family to Vashon Island in 1959 and began working as a real

estate agent for what was then Fredricks Rand Realty, a small local company which he soon purchased and later associated with Windermere Real Estate.

He sold it many years later and stayed in the business for the remainder of his life. Paul was civically active in the community and enjoyed volunteering time

and effort to local causes.

Paul loved rowing, both for the sheer delight of gliding over flat water in Quartermaster Harbor and as a competitor in local regattas. He was a strong supporter of the Vashon Island RC and a member of the Lake Washington

Rowing Club and Sound Rowers Association. He also alpine skied his entire life and will be remembered fondly for his grace on the hill and uncanny ability to find untracked powder.

Paul was preceded in death by his parents Horace and Eva Helsby and his

wife Patricia. Survivors include his wife Jo Anne, children Paula Rankin (Jeff), Charlie, Tracy and stepdaughter Jeri Pertzborn (Mick), grandchildren Kelly Wood (Travis), Lili and Anders Helsby and great-grandchildren Jaxon and Grayce.

A memorial service will be held on August 16th at 1:00 pm at the Vashon

Island Funeral Home, followed by a reception from 2-4 pm at Vashon Island Golf and Country Club. In lieu of flowers, remembrances can be made to The George Pocock Rowing Foundation in Seattle, WA.

Paid Obituary.